Understanding Power and Authority

?Dictionary Definition of Power and Authority

1.???? Power: coercive, physical force, the means to force people to act against their will and do what you want them to do under the guise of threat of: Loss of position, job, status, membership, privilege, etc. Power can be bought and sold, given, and taken away.

2.???? Authority: The main principle in leadership is “legitimate” authority. Authority has been defined as the skill to get others to willingly cooperate with you because of your personal influence. Authority is about your character. It cannot be bought or sold.

Types of Authority:

·????? Rational-legal Authority

·????? Traditional Institutionalized Authority

·????? Charismatic Authority

?Rational-legal Authority

·????? This type of authority consists in a body of a general set of rules that speak to the proper conduct of those in authority within the limits of their jurisdiction.

·????? Individuals with this type of authority usually occupy some type of office or supervisory position that binds them to the rules, Bylaws, and other legal obligations of their office. Outside of their office, i.e., in their private life, they are treated as any other citizen.

·????? Their role in this position does provide them supervisory duties that one could interpret as “power” such as the authority to appoint, promote, demote, and dismiss if necessary.

?Traditional Institutionalized Authority

·????? The legitimacy of traditional authority is that is has a long history of acceptance as the system of order.

·????? This authority is often based on the knowledge, expertise, and technical skill of an individual. And based on their expertise, their “orders”, so to speak, can most likely be expected to be followed. For example, when a physician prescribes certain medicines and instructions to their patients, their orders will be followed because the patient believes the doctors instructions will help improve their condition.

·????? However, this type of authority does not carry coercive power but is rather dependent upon the voluntary consent of the patient.

·????? By contrast, those with legal authority (Judges, police, military) do have the power to enforce their orders. The exerciser of power does not need to have more technical skills, knowledge, or expertise as compared to those who are subject to their orders. Legal power does not necessarily mean technical competence.

?Charismatic Authority

·????? This is not the ordinary case of authority by consent of the led.

·????? The charismatic leader does not necessarily express the will of the followers. This type of leader is often in it for themselves and expects followers to be obligated in loyalty to him/her personally, rather than loyalty to the organization and other members.?

·????? The legitimacy of this type of leader is often granted because of the revolutionary aspect of their purpose, calling, or “divine” mandate (Ghandi, MLK, Mandela, Mother Theresa, Jesus).

·????? The problem is often with the successor of the charismatic leader. Their legitimacy to maintain the authority of the original leader cannot be claimed on the same grounds, unless there is some type of succession plan agreed to by the leader and other high-level members (e.g., Popes, Pastors, Priests, Apostles, Kings/Queens, etc.).

·????? There often is a struggle for power once the original charismatic leader is gone unless the succession process is brought under the traditional or rational-legal systems of legitimate authority.

?The Need for Legitimate Authority

1.???? Legitimate authority does not operate in or with “power dynamics”. Others may perceive us in that way, but we do not perceive ourselves in that way.

2.???? We do not show up in any meetings, site visits, or quarterly events with power. We do not force, coerce, or demand any of our customers/constituents to do anything against their will.

3.???? We operate in and with “real” authority. And that authority is earned through servant-leadership.

4.???? We operate with our staff and customers under a signed or verbalized “Memorandum of Agreement.” Our staff and/or customers have agreed to specific obligations and outcomes and our organization/company has also agreed to specific obligations and outcomes. With our MOA in place each entity agrees to hold each other accountable to its stipulations.

?Appointed or Positional Power Does Not Give You Real Authority

Being in power does not mean one has real authority. And one does not have to be in power to have authority. We have seen historic and modern-day examples of both of this phenomenon. Ghandi brought down the British Empire control of India without any legal power or use of violence. The people did not listen to those in power but followed Ghandi who had “real” (moral) authority. ?The same can be said of MLK, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Theresa.

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Legitimate authority is moral authority people willingly listen to, obey, and follow. It has nothing to do with legal or appointed positions of so-called power.

Until Next time...

RRR