Power and Authority

What is Power?
By the term power, we mean the personal capacity of an individual to influence others to do
or not to do an act. It is independent and informal in nature derived from charisma and status. It
is an acquired ability that comes from knowledge and expertise. It is the right to control others
actions, decisions and performances.

Now what is Power in government?

Power in government is the authority of an individual's or group's right to use for making
decisions, giving directives, and demanding compliance.

What is Authority?
Authority is a legal and formal right to a person, who can take decisions, give orders and
commands to others to perform a particular task. It is conferred to high officials, to accomplish
the organization's objectives. It is hierarchical in nature, it flows downward, i.e. delegated from
superior to the subordinate.

Authority in government
Authority in government identifies as the political legitimacy, which grants and justifies the
ruler's right to exercise the power of government.

Types of power

1. Legitimate Power
Legitimate power happens when someone is in a higher position, giving them control over
others.

2. Coercive Power
Coercive power is defined as “harsh” power, as the capacity to detect and sanction unlawful
behavior.

3. Expert Power
This power comes directly from your top-level skills and years of experience. Once you hold
expert knowledge, your peers will likely regard you as such.
For example if [someone] holds an MBA and a Ph.D. in statistical analysis, her colleagues
and reports are more inclined to accede to her expertise.
The great thing about this type of power is that no one can take it away from you. It's the
knowledge that you hold. However, to remain an expert, you need to continue learning and
improving.

4. Informational Power
This is a short-term power that doesn't necessarily influence or build credibility.
For example, a project manager may have all the information for a specific project, giving them
"informational power." But it's hard for a person to keep this power for long, as eventually this
information will be released.

5. Power of Reward
This power is held by those who can motivate people to respond to win raises, promotions, and
awards. For example, managers hold a certain amount of reward power if they administer
performance reviews that determine raises and bonuses for their underlings.
"When you start talking financial livelihood, power takes on a whole new meaning," Lipkin
says.

6. Connection Power
This power creates influence by proxy and often results from solid networking skills. You can
attain this type of power by gaining favor and being a resource to people.

7. Referent Power
No matter what type of leader you are, referent power is one of the most valuable kinds of
power. It's all about how you build and develop relationships.

Types of Authority

1. Charismatic authority
Charismatic authority comes from the personal charisma, strength, and charm of an individual’s
personality.

2. Traditional authority
The legitimacy of traditional authority comes from traditions and customs.
A good example of a traditional authority system would be a monarchy. Most governments
throughout history have led according to this form of authority.

3. Rational-legal authority
Rational-legal authority is also known as bureaucratic authority or legal authority. With this type
of authority, an individual or ruling group exerts power based on legal office.
Once the person in power leaves their official position, their authority is lost. Those who
govern have a legal right to do so, and subordinates accept this legal authority.

Differences between power and authority

1. Power is defined as the ability or potential of an individual to influence others and control
their actions. Authority is the legal and formal right to give orders and commands, and
take decisions.
2. Power is a personal trait, i.e. an acquired ability, whereas authority is a formal right, that
vest in the hands of high officials or management personnel.

3. The major source of power is knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, position and
office determine the authority of a person.

4. Power flows in any direction, i.e. it can be upward, downward, crosswise or diagonal,
lateral. As opposed to authority, that flows only in one direction, i.e. downward (from
superior to subordinate).

5. The power lies in person, in essence, a person acquires it, but authority lies in the
designation, i.e. whoever gets the designation, gets the authority attached to it.

6. Authority is legitimate whereas the power is not.