A are some principles I learned from my father, in a college management class, on the job, in the military, in real estate etc.
1. You CAN delegate Authority, but you can NOT delegate responsibility. (In other words, by delegating responsibility to a subordinate, you are not relieved of ultimate responsibility)
2. You are considered accountable for not only what you know, but what you SHOULD know. (this is illustrated with disclosures)
When it comes to private enterprise these are commonly understood. When it comes to government, these are alien concepts--military excepted.