Handout poster EM leadership USA EMA

1. Accountability, Responsibility and Authority in Emergency Management Leadership
Author: David McLeod MANZP MAIES MAPA
BHelSci(Paramedic) AdvDipEmgMgt
Accountability, Responsibility, and Authority
•Accountability the state of being accountable, liable, or
answerable
•Responsibility (for objects, tasks or people) can be
delegated but accountability can not – buck stops with
you!
•A good leader accepts ultimate responsibility:
•will give credit to others when delegated
responsibilities succeed
•will accept blame when delegated responsibilities fail
•Accountability can not operate fairly without the leader
being given full authority for the responsibilities
concerned
•Authority is the power to influence or command
thought, opinion or behaviour
•Cross-functional team – less authority - more difficult to
manage
David McLeod
Phone: 0406095141
Email: davidmcleod@live.com.au
Emergency management mitigation preparedness response and recovery are complex process which
require effective leadership to ensure that the task is analysed and approached in the most effective way.
To be effective a leader must display accountability, responsibility and authority at all times.
How to implement
•Reflect and identify your accountability, responsibility and
authority as an emergency management leader. These
skills are important for you to lead effectively.
•Ask for feedback from work colleagues, line managers,
tutors, your ‘followers’
•Practise! Take on responsibility ( this includes at work,
volunteering, clubs & Societies) and reflect on your
performance
SIFE
•Find a mentor – learn from positive leadership role-
models
•Attend further leadership and management training