NATURE AND KINDS OF

POWER AND AUTHORITY

EDUC 203-A School Administration Saturday, 1-4pm
Professor: Dr. Cornelio Rollo

JOAN D. BOSCAS
Discussant
 At the end of the session, the
Terminal Objective students will be able to identify and
explain the nature and kinds of
power and authority.

Explain the principle of power

Enabling Objective and authority in educational
administration
 Time to Think!
Authority is
granted, power is
earned
Power can be defined as the capacity or
ability to make things happen in order to
get results. Power can also be said to be
the ability to employ sanctions or force or
to give rewards in an effort to have
something or make others do something.
The right to commit resources in particular
courses of organizational action. The probability
that certain specific commands from a given
source will be obeyed by a given group of
persons. A legitimate power that an individual or
a group of individuals possesses and practices
over other individuals
 Kinds of
Authority
1. Formal Authority
2. Charismatic
3. Traditional
4. Legal
5. Functional
6. Acceptance Theory
Kinds of Power
1. Legitimate Power
2. Reward Power
3. Referent Power
4. Coercive Power
Formal authority emanates from one’s
legal position in the organisation. The
person in this formal leadership position
has authority to issue commands and
directives to other employees in
accordance to the rules and regulations.
Charismatic Authority emanates from
the leaders personal qualities and
characteristics e.g physical attributes
such as strength or beauty, knowledge,
ability, skill, status, age, sex, etc.
The traditionally sanctioned position of
authority is obeyed and the person
currently occupying the position inherits
the authority. Hence this authority
emanates from traditions, beliefs, culture.
The source of legal authority is the law
and can only be changed by formally
correct procedures. Obedience is to the
laws that specify to whom and to the
extent of compliance.
Charismatic Authority emanates from
the leaders personal qualities and
characteristics e.g physical attributes
such as strength or beauty, knowledge,
ability, skill, status, age, sex, etc.
Functional authority is one which is
limited to the function one is playing at
a given time or situation. This authority
emanates from one’s competence or
technical skills.
Acceptance Theory of Authority emanates
from the subordinates that is, if they
accept the authority then it exists but if
they do not accept it then the superior has
no authority.
Acceptance Theory of Authority emanates
from the subordinates that is, if they
accept the authority then it exists but if
they do not accept it then the superior has
no authority.
Power can be defined as the capacity or
ability to make things happen in order to
get results. Power can also be said to be
the ability to employ sanctions or force or
to give rewards in an effort to have
something or make others do something.
The authority one possesses by holding a given
position in the organization means that he has
the legitimate right to expect obedience from
those under his authority. Hence, such a person
has legal power that emanates from his or her
leadership position in the organization. This
power, therefore, depends on one’s official
position not a relationship with subordinates.
The knowledge, skills, expertise, that a person
possess gives him ‘expert power’ over others
who require it or want to benefit from it. A leader
should therefore have both legitimate and
expert power to be able to influence his
subordinate towards the achievement of the
organizational goals.
This is the type of power that results on one
because one can issue rewards, materials,
resources, salaries, fridge benefits etc. One is
therefore able to induce others to comply with
what one wants.
This power is possessed by the person having
personal qualities and reputation which others
want to identify with e.g. physical attraction,
eloquence, powerful position in organization,
intelligence etc.
This power is primarily based on use of forceful
means to make others obey. The holder of this
power has ability to conflict punishment or
negative consequences or another person.
 1. How will you apply your understanding of power
REFLECT! and authority to become a better leader?
2. How would you want to be remembered as a
leader?
 https://differentexamples.com/authority-and-
power/

https://www.politicalsciencenotes.com/articl
es/power-and-authority-definition-nature-

REFERENCES and-theory/795

https://mysominotes.wordpress.com/2018/12/
14/5-2-educational-administration-do-you-
understand-the-principles-of-power-and-
authority-in-education-administration/uiet

https://images.app.goo.gl/dPcaZvNxwNzrdyi28