“To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A. — the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives — with a traditional ‘Right of Decision.’”

“The Right of Decision means that those who are given a responsibility must also be given the authority to carry it out. You cannot hold someone responsible for results if you have not given them the freedom to act.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 3

Concept 3 is about effective delegation. If you give someone a job, you have to give them the authority to do it.

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What it means

“Right of Decision” — each element of the service structure has the right to make decisions within its area of responsibility, without being second-guessed at every turn.

“Responsibility without authority is a recipe for failure. If we want our trusted servants to serve well, we must trust them to make decisions.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 3

“Each element” — this applies at every level: the Conference, the Board, committees, staff, executives. Each has its own sphere of decision-making authority.

“The Right of Decision does not mean unlimited authority. It means appropriate authority — the authority needed to discharge the responsibility that has been given.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 3

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Why it matters

“If every decision has to be approved by everyone, nothing gets done. The Right of Decision allows AA’s service structure to function efficiently while remaining accountable to the Fellowship.” — Twelve Concepts for World Service, Concept 3

This concept reflects a deep understanding of how organizations work. Micromanagement kills effectiveness. Trust — bounded by accountability — enables 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