Power and Authority

POWER AND  AUTHORITY

POWER • The idea of power is that of being able to influence the actions or decisions of another, whether through the use of softpower tactics or blatant coercion. • Power is one’s one’s ability ability to act act upon upon or or yield yield an an effect. • Paul Merchant (2005) defined power as possession of authority and influence over others.

POWER • Power is something that controls someone’s mind and action. • It is a tool that can be used for the better or for the deterioration of an organization.

POWER •  Anthony Giddens: Giddens: “By power is meant the ability of individuals or groups to make their own concerns or interests count, even where others resist.”  • This means with the help of power, one person will have the authority to implement what he/she/they desire to do.

POWER • Max Weber “Power is the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which the probability rests.” 

POWER • This means that power is the ability to have your on way despite the resistance from others and the uncertainty of the origin of the power held. • Power gives anyone the opportunity and the privilege to influence and control the behaviour of people.

POWER-MOTIVE •  Azurin (2008) said that “Power motive” is strongest in politicians. • This means that they are obsessed with the idea of dominance over people. • Politicians strive to have power to impose authority that is usually used to satisfy their desire.

 AUTHORITY • Authority can make the people obey the rules not because they are forced to but they see power as reasonable because, technically, authority means “official power”.

 AUTHORITY and POWER • What demarcates authority from power is that AUTHORITY is power recognized as rightful.  Authority is power clothed in the garments of legitimacy.

 AUTHORITY and POWER • POWER: there is always the ability to achieve desired results • AUTHORITY: there shall be approval of law because the law and constitution always stand behind an authority

 AUTHORITY and POWER • “To have authority to do something is to have the right to do it.” • This means having authority to do something gives a person the power and the right to do it.

 AUTHORITY and POWER

• Power can still exists without authority.

POWER VS. AUTHORITY

POWER VS. AUTHORITY POWER

AUTHORITY

NATURE

Power is one’s ability to influence the beliefs and actions of others.

Authority is the official right assumed by a leader to create create judgment judgmentss or to command.

FLOW

Power can run in any course. Even juniors have power over their Seniors, if they can influence their behaviour behaviour.. So power can can run upwards, downwards or horizontally.

Authority runs downwards in the organizatio organization. n. This is because it is passed on by the seniors to the juniors.

POWER VS. AUTHORITY POWER ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS LEVE LEVEL L OF MANAGEMENT

AUTHORITY

Power relations relationships hips cannot be shown in organizational charts.

Authority Authority relationships relationships can be shown in organizational charts.

Power does does not rest on the the level of management. Power can be at any level of management. A lower-level manager or an employee can have power to influence the behaviour of a top-level manager.

Authority rests on the level of management. The more advancements in the level of management, the higher will be the authority and vice-versa.

POWER VS. AUTHORITY POWER LEGITIMACY

AUTHORITY

Power need not to be Authority is authorized in nature. constantly authorized in nature. POSITION Power lives in the Author Authority ity is given given to AND PERSON person who uses it. a position. The leader l eader acquires the authority only when he is in that position.