“Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority, with the scope of such authority well defined.”

“You cannot hold someone responsible for results if you have not given them the authority to act. Responsibility without authority is a recipe for failure — and for resentment.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 10

Concept 10 is one of the most practically useful of the Concepts. It applies not just to AA’s world service structure, but to any service role at any level.

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What it means

“Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority” — if you give someone a job, give them the power to do it. Don’t hold them accountable for outcomes they couldn’t control.

“The person who is given responsibility without authority is set up to fail. And when they fail, they are blamed for a situation that was never truly in their hands.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 10

“With the scope of such authority well defined” — vague authority is almost as bad as no authority. People need to know clearly what they can and cannot decide on their own.

“Clear definition of authority prevents conflict. When everyone knows who decides what, there is less room for power struggles and misunderstandings.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 10

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Why it matters

“This concept applies at every level of AA service — from the group treasurer to the General Service Board. Wherever there is responsibility, there must be matching authority. And wherever there is authority, there must be accountability.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 10

This is one of the Concepts most directly applicable to everyday service work. Group officers, committee chairs, and intergroup representatives all benefit from understanding it.

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Related tags

service · principles · concepts

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All Concepts

Concept 1 · Concept 2 · Concept 3 · Concept 4 · Concept 5 · Concept 6 · Concept 7 · Concept 8 · Concept 9 · Concept 10 · Concept 11 · Concept 12