General Education Development (GED) Practice Exam

A successful manager must effectively delegate what?

1. Responsibility

2. Accountability

3. Authority

4. Ability

The correct answer is: Authority

A successful manager must effectively delegate authority. Delegation of authority allows a manager to transfer decision-making power to subordinates, enabling them to take initiative and act on behalf of the manager in specific areas. This is essential for increasing efficiency and fostering a sense of ownership among team members. When authority is delegated, it empowers employees to make choices and take actions without needing constant managerial approval, which can speed up processes and improve productivity. It also encourages skill development within the team, as individuals gain experience in making decisions relevant to their roles. Although responsibility and accountability are also important concepts in management, they typically remain with the manager even after authority has been delegated. Delegating ability refers to the skills required for tasks, but the focus here is on the transfer of decision-making power, which is central to effective management practices.