Authority

aw-thor-i-tee (noun) Authority is the official power and right to make decisions, give orders, and control resources within a specific area of responsibility. It means having the legitimate ability to direct others, allocate budgets, change processes, and be held accountable for outcomes without needing approval from someone else.

Think: the difference between being told to watch the house while your parents are away versus actually being the homeowner — one lets you make suggestions, the other lets you renovate the kitchen.