Delegate vs. Delegatee — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 21, 2024
Delegate refers to a person appointed or elected to represent others, while delegatee is the person who receives delegated tasks or authority.
Difference Between Delegate and Delegatee
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A delegate often refers to someone who is chosen or elected to represent a group of people, especially in a conference, meeting, or legislative assembly. In contrast, a delegatee is the individual who receives tasks, responsibilities, or authority from someone else, usually in a work or organizational context.
The role of a delegate is to act on behalf of others, carrying their views, votes, or interests into decision-making processes. This can involve representing a constituency in government, members in a union, or any group within a larger organization. On the other hand, a delegatee is typically on the receiving end of delegation in a more direct, task-oriented sense. They are assigned specific duties or given certain powers that were originally held by another person, often a supervisor or manager.
In terms of responsibilities, a delegate's duties are usually defined by the needs and expectations of the group they represent. They might participate in discussions, vote on matters, or advocate for certain policies. Meanwhile, the responsibilities of a delegatee are more directly related to the tasks or authority that have been delegated to them, which can range from completing specific projects to making certain types of decisions within defined parameters.
The act of being a delegate often involves a formal selection or election process, where the individual is chosen based on trust, expertise, or representation of a group's interests. Conversely, becoming a delegatee usually involves a more direct appointment, where a superior or colleague entrusts them with certain responsibilities, often to enhance efficiency, develop skills, or manage workloads.
Understanding the distinction between delegate and delegatee is crucial in organizational and leadership contexts, as it clarifies the flow of tasks and authority. While delegates represent the interests of others, delegatees are focused on executing specific tasks or wielding delegated authority effectively.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A person elected or appointed to represent others.
The person who receives delegated tasks or authority.
Role
Representation in decision-making processes.
Execution of specific tasks or responsibilities.
Responsibilities
Defined by the group's needs and expectations.
Related to the delegated tasks or authority.
Selection
Through a formal process like election or appointment.
Directly appointed by a superior or colleague.
Context
Often used in political, organizational, and conference settings.
Typically found in work or organizational structures.
Compare with Definitions
Delegate
An individual chosen to act on behalf of others.
She was selected as a delegate to the national conference.
Delegatee
To carry out specific tasks or responsibilities.
The manager's delegatee was tasked with overseeing the daily operations.
Delegate
Participate in discussions, advocate, and vote.
The delegate had several key issues to address on behalf of her community.
Delegatee
Someone assigned tasks or authority by another.
As a delegatee, he was responsible for completing the project by the deadline.
Delegate
In settings where group representation is needed.
The union delegates played a crucial role in the negotiations.
Delegatee
Directly tied to the delegated tasks or powers.
Her responsibilities as a delegatee included signing off on all major decisions.
Delegate
To represent a group's interests and make decisions.
As a delegate, his job was to vote in line with his constituents' wishes.
Delegatee
Common in workplace or organizational delegations.
Each team leader was a delegatee, responsible for their group's output.
Delegate
Chosen by election or appointment for their role.
Delegates to the assembly are elected by local members.
Delegatee
Appointed directly, often to manage workloads or develop skills.
She was chosen as a delegatee due to her expertise in the field.
Delegate
To commit a task to someone, especially a subordinate
Delegatee
One to whom something is delegated.
Delegate
A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy or agent.
Delegatee
Someone or something to which something is delegated.
Delegate
A representative to a conference or convention.
Delegate
A member of a House of Delegates, the lower house of the Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia legislature.
Delegate
An elected or appointed representative of a US territory in the House of Representatives who is entitled to speak but not vote.
Delegate
To authorize and send (another person) as one's representative.
Delegate
To commit or entrust to another
Delegate a task to a subordinate.
Delegate
A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.
Delegate
A representative at a conference, etc.
Delegate
(US) An appointed representative in some legislative bodies.
Delegate
(computing) A type of variable storing a reference to a method with a particular signature, analogous to a function pointer.
Delegate
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Delegate
Goes one step further and encapsulates callbacks into callable objects called delegates.}}
Delegate
To authorize someone to be a delegate
Delegate
To give away authority over a subdomain; to allow someone else to create sub-subdomains of a subdomain of one's own
Delegate
Any one sent and empowered to act for another; one deputed to represent; a chosen deputy; a representative; a commissioner; a vicar.
Delegate
One elected by the people of a territory to represent them in Congress, where he has the right of debating, but not of voting.
Delegate
Sent to act for or represent another; deputed; as, a delegate judge.
Delegate
To send as one's representative; to empower as an ambassador; to send with power to transact business; to commission; to depute; to authorize.
Delegate
To intrust to the care or management of another; to transfer; to assign; to commit.
The delegated administration of the law.
Delegated executive power.
The power exercised by the legislature is the people's power, delegated by the people to the legislative.
Delegate
A person appointed or elected to represent others
Delegate
Transfer power to someone
Delegate
Give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)
Common Curiosities
Can a delegate also be a delegatee?
Yes, a delegate can also be a delegatee if they are representing others in one context but receiving delegated tasks in another.
Can the scope of authority be different for each delegatee?
Yes, the scope of authority can vary widely among delegatees, depending on the tasks delegated and the context of their roles.
What is the primary function of a delegate?
A delegate's primary function is to represent the interests and viewpoints of a group in a decision-making body or event.
What skills are important for a delegate?
Important skills for a delegate include communication, representation, negotiation, and decision-making.
What motivates someone to become a delegate?
Motivations can include a desire to influence decisions, represent a community's interests, or contribute to the governance of an organization.
How does a delegatee receive their responsibilities?
A delegatee receives their responsibilities through direct delegation from someone else, typically a superior or a colleague.
What should a delegatee focus on in their role?
A delegatee should focus on effectively carrying out the tasks or responsibilities that have been delegated to them, ensuring they meet the goals or standards set by the delegator.
How is accountability maintained for a delegatee?
Accountability for a delegatee is maintained through clear expectations, regular check-ins, and performance evaluations related to the delegated tasks.
Are there different types of delegates?
Yes, there are various types of delegates, including political delegates, conference delegates, and organizational delegates, each with specific roles and contexts.
How can conflicts be resolved between a delegate and the represented group?
Conflicts can be resolved through open dialogue, mediation, feedback mechanisms, and aligning on common goals and interests.
Is the role of a delegate always formal and official?
While often formal and official, especially in political or organizational contexts, delegate roles can also be informal, depending on the group's structure and needs.
How does one become a delegate?
Becoming a delegate typically involves being elected or appointed based on criteria such as expertise, leadership, or representation of a specific group.
How can a delegatee ensure they are fulfilling their role effectively?
A delegatee can ensure effectiveness by understanding the delegated tasks clearly, maintaining open communication with the delegator, and regularly updating on progress.
What impact does effective delegation have on an organization?
Effective delegation can lead to improved efficiency, enhanced skill development, better time management, and increased employee engagement and morale.
What challenges might a delegate face?
A delegate might face challenges like balancing differing opinions, making tough decisions, or effectively communicating between the represented group and the decision-making body.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
