Distributed authority

Authority is distributed in an organization when several people can make decisions (not just top management).

The traditional model: one person decides for all

In traditional organizations, decisions are taken at the top of the hierarchical pyramid, then imposed on the various levels below.
However, these decisions are often based on a limited understanding of operational realities, with assumptions that may be erroneous or disconnected from needs on the field.

A modern approach: entrust decisions to those closest to the field

In modern, flat organizations, it is recognized that the group holds more knowledge than a single individual.

This doesn't mean that there is no hierarchy, or that all decisions must be made by democratic vote. Not at all.

What this means is that individuals can make decisions that concern them directly, without having to ask for authorization.

When a decision affects several people, a clear and transparent process is put in place to gather opinions and reach a collective conclusion.

The different decision-making methods

Some organizations choose approaches such as:

• Consensus-based decision-making, where everyone has to approve the decision.
• Consent-based decision-making, where the absence of objections validates a decision.

In a nutshell

When authority is distributed, an organization's decisions are no longer concentrated in the hands of a few people at the top. Instead, they are distributed throughout the organization, enabling greater responsiveness and more informed decision-making, aligned with realities on the field.