Which statement best differentiates delegation from abdication?

Which statement best differentiates delegation from abdication?

• A. Delegation transfers authority with accountability kept by the leader; abdication relinquishes responsibility.
• B. Delegation relinquishes responsibility; abdication transfers authority with accountability kept.
• C. Both are the same in effect; only terminology differs.
• D. Delegation means the leader avoids all oversight.

Answer: (A)

Delegation means giving someone the authority to act while you keep accountability for the outcome. You empower others to handle a task within defined limits, supply what they need, and set clear expectations, but you still monitor progress and ultimately own the results. Abdication, on the other hand, is stepping away from responsibility and relinquishing control—handing off authority and the accountability that goes with it, effectively leaving the team to decide and act without your oversight. So the best statement captures that delegation transfers authority while the leader remains responsible, whereas abdication relinquishes responsibility entirely. For example, a supervisor assigns a project with clear decision rights and milestones but still signs off on the final result and answers for it; abdication would be leaving the project without direction or accountability at all.

Delegation means giving someone the authority to act while you keep accountability for the outcome. You empower others to handle a task within defined limits, supply what they need, and set clear expectations, but you still monitor progress and ultimately own the results. Abdication, on the other hand, is stepping away from responsibility and relinquishing control—handing off authority and the accountability that goes with it, effectively leaving the team to decide and act without your oversight. So the best statement captures that delegation transfers authority while the leader remains responsible, whereas abdication relinquishes responsibility entirely. For example, a supervisor assigns a project with clear decision rights and milestones but still signs off on the final result and answers for it; abdication would be leaving the project without direction or accountability at all.