An executive is a high ranking official responsible for managing and implementing organizational policies, decisions and operations. They possess authority, expertise and accountability overseeing daily activities, setting strategic direction and making key decisions to achieve organizational goals and objectives.

Executives are categorized into Political Executives (elected), Permanent Executives (civil servants), Chief Executives (CEO, MD), Functional Executives (CFO, COO), and Administrative Executives (agency heads, commissioners).

Differences between Political and Permanent executive –

1. Permanent Executives have secure long term tenure (5-20 years)unaffected by electoral cycles whereas Political Executives serve variable short term tenures (4-5 years) aligned with electoral cycles and party leadership.
2. Permanent Executives are appointed through merit based civil service exams, promotions or expert panels whereas Political Executives are appointed by the ruling party/leader through political nomination, election or patronage.
3. Permanent Executives focus on policy implementation, administration and technical expertise whereas Political Executives focus on policy making, strategic direction, and political leadership, driving government agendas and public priorities.
4. Permanent Executives demonstrate loyalty to the organization, its mission and the public interest whereas Political Executives prioritize loyalty to the ruling party, leader and political ideology.

In summary, executives lead organizations and governments but differ in role and focus. Permanent executives manage daily operations while political executives make policy decisions reflecting distinct loyalties, tenures and priorities.