Testing recognition of deputization without authority to compel compliance
Overview
This diagnostic tests whether you can recognize when you’re being deputized without the authority to compel compliance or make binding decisions.
You’ll see 10 scenarios where coordination offices are assigned responsibility for outcomes they cannot control because stakeholders retain decision authority. The pattern to recognize: when escalation returns as “work the coordination” rather than granting authority or making decisions, you’re functioning as escalation sink – absorbing coordination failures caused by authority gaps.
Time to complete: 10-12 minutes
Question format: Multiple choice (1 correct answer per scenario)
Scoring: 7/10 = Pass (you recognize deputization patterns)
Result interpretation: Generates personalized guidance based on patterns
Note on answer choices: Some scenarios include responses that accept responsibility without authority or assume escalation will eventually grant power. The “correct” answer represents the response that best identifies structural authority gaps, not the most optimistic interpretation.
Want to understand how each deputization pattern operates? You can retake the diagnostic and select different options to see the feedback for each scenario. Each represents a different way coordination offices absorb escalation without gaining authority.
What These Results Mean
These patterns emerged from observing coordination offices given broad mandates (“coordinate across agencies,” “align business units,” “establish governance”) without corresponding authority to compel stakeholder action, make binding decisions, or control resources needed for coordination.
If you recognized patterns you’re currently experiencing and want to discuss your specific coordination challenges: moc.irtlevynohtna@ynohtna
What This Diagnostic Reveals
If you scored high, you already know that deputization without authority shows up as:
- Responsibility for coordination outcomes without authority to compel stakeholder action
- Escalation requests returning as “work the issue” instead of granting decision authority
- Stakeholders ignoring coordination mandates because office has no enforcement mechanism
- Being blamed for coordination failures caused by stakeholder non-compliance you cannot prevent
If you scored low, you’re probably in a deputization trap right now. The symptoms show up as:
- “We’re responsible for enterprise alignment but can’t compel business units to participate”
- “Leadership says ‘make it work’ when we escalate for decision authority”
- “Stakeholders ignore our governance requirements with no consequences”
- “We’re blamed for slow coordination but stakeholders won’t engage and we can’t force them”
These aren’t coordination skill gaps. These are structural authority gaps where responsibility exceeds power to compel, decide, or enforce.
Recognize If You’re Deputized Without Authority
Ask yourself these questions about your coordination office:
- Decision authority test: Can you make binding decisions about coordination issues? Or do you recommend while stakeholders decide?
- Compliance authority test: If stakeholders don’t comply with coordination requirements, can you compel them? Or escalate to someone who can?
- Resource authority test: Can you allocate resources for coordination needs? Or must you request from stakeholders who can refuse?
- Escalation response test: When you escalate authority gaps, do you get authority? Or get told to “work the coordination better”?
- Accountability test: Are you blamed when coordination fails due to stakeholder non-compliance? Or are stakeholders held accountable?
If you have responsibility without corresponding authority in 3+ of these areas, you’re functioning as escalation sink.
Next Steps
If you passed this diagnostic: You recognize deputization traps. Consider taking the Template Trap diagnostic to see when pre-packaged solutions assume authority you don’t have, or the Conflict Buffer diagnostic to identify when you’re absorbing blame for stakeholder failures.
If you didn’t pass: Start with these foundational resources:
- Read Doctrine 24: Stewardship Places the Burden on the Steward to understand when responsibility exceeds authority
- Review Doctrine 03: Interfaces Are Where Systems Break to see how authority gaps create coordination failures
- Study Field Note: When You Call a Committee a Team to distinguish coordination authority from advisory roles
If you’re in a deputization trap: Document the authority gaps. When stakeholders don’t comply, when escalation returns as “work harder,” when you’re blamed for failures you cannot prevent – document that responsibility exceeds authority. Force visibility to structural problem.
Remember: Coordination offices cannot succeed when responsibility exceeds authority. If you can’t compel compliance, can’t make binding decisions, and can’t control resources, you’re absorbing coordination failures caused by structural authority gaps. This isn’t a coordination skill problem – it’s a deputization problem.