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Conceptions of Power and Authority

1. The document discusses the concepts of power and authority in management. It defines power as the ability to influence others or events, while authority is the formal right given to managers to make decisions and command subordinates. 2. Some key differences between power and authority are outlined: authority is delegated downward formally, while power can flow in any direction; authority relationships are shown in organizational charts but not power; and authority is tied to a manager's level/position, whereas power does not depend on level. 3. In summary, the document provides definitions of power and authority and analyzes their differences regarding nature, flow, representation in charts, management level dependence, and residence in position versus person.

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Amiel L. SARABIA
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121 views

Conceptions of Power and Authority

1. The document discusses the concepts of power and authority in management. It defines power as the ability to influence others or events, while authority is the formal right given to managers to make decisions and command subordinates. 2. Some key differences between power and authority are outlined: authority is delegated downward formally, while power can flow in any direction; authority relationships are shown in organizational charts but not power; and authority is tied to a manager's level/position, whereas power does not depend on level. 3. In summary, the document provides definitions of power and authority and analyzes their differences regarding nature, flow, representation in charts, management level dependence, and residence in position versus person.

Uploaded by

Amiel L. SARABIA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GRADUATE SCHOOL

Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University

Bacolor, Pampanga

Educational Leadership (MC 104)

Topic: Conceptions of Power and Authority

Discussant: Mary Keziah P. Guda

Luisito M. Nanquil, Ed.D. (Professor)

What is Power?

 It is a broader concept than authority.


 Power is the ability or potentials of a person to influence another person or a group to
perform an act.
 It is the ability to influence events.
 Power can be personal power. A person gets his personal power from his expert
knowledge. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Programmers, etc. get their power from their
expertise and professional knowledge.
 Power can also be legitimate or official power. This power comes from a higher
authority.

What is Authority?

 It is the formal right given to a manager to command or to give orders to perform a


certain task.
 Authority is given to a manager to achieve the objectives of the organization.
 It is a right to get the things done through others.
 It is a right to take decisions.
 A manager cannot do his work without authority.
 A manager gets his authority from his positions or post. He gets his authority from the
higher authorities. The lower and middle-level managers get their authority from the
top-level managers. The top-level managers get their authority from the shareholders.
 Authority always flows downwards. It is delegated from the top to bottom.

Difference Between Power and Authority

In management, authority differs from power in the following ways:


1.Nature
Authority is the formal right given to a manager to make decisions or to command.
Power is the personal ability to influence others or events.
2. Flow
Authority flows downwards in the organization. This is because it is delegated by the
superiors to the subordinates.
Power can flow in any direction. Even subordinates have power over their superiors, if they
can influence their behavior. So power can flow upwards, downwards or horizontally.

3. Organizational Charts
Authority relationships (superior-subordinate relationships) can be shown in the organizational charts.
Power relationships cannot be shown in organization charts.

4. Level of Management
Authority depends on the level of management. Higher the level of management, higher will bw the
authority and vice-versa.
Power does not depend on the level of management. Power can exist at any level of management.
Even a lower-level manager or a worker can have power to influence the behavior of top-level manager.

5. Legitimacy
Authority is always official in nature. So it is legitimate.
Power need not to be official in nature. So it need not be legitimate.

6. Position and Person


Authority is given to a position or post. The manager gets the authority only when he holds that
position.
Power resides (lives) in the person who uses it.

“ Authority is the right to give orders and power to exact (get) obedience.”

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