Page 137 - DMGT402_MANAGEMENT_PRACTICES_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_BEHAVIOUR

Management Practices and Organisational Behaviour

Notes 4. Informational Power: Informational power depends on your giving or withholding of
information or having knowledge that others do not have. Use informational power
when giving orders to subordinates. Give orders in such a manner that your subordinates
presume the order originated at your level. When forced to comply with orders you do
not agree with, don't introduce the order by saying "The senior management said. . ." and
present the order in a manner that leaves no doubt you initiated it.
Rely on your own resources to stay fully informed instead of depending on others.
Subordinates may present unreliable information in a manner that makes it appear to be
true. Superiors may become so involved with projects they forget to keep you informed of
tasks being assigned or upcoming inspections. Information is power. Stay informed!
5. Referent Power: Referent power derives from your subordinates' identification or
association with you. You have this power by simply being "the chief." People identify
with the ideals you stand for. The chief has a pre-established image. You can enhance that
image by exhibiting charisma, courage, and charm. An improved image increases your
referent power. Always be aware of how others will perceive your actions. A negative
image in the eyes of others will lessen your power and render you ineffective. Maintain a
positive image!
6. Expert Power: Expert power comes from your knowledge in a specific area through which
you influence others. You have expert power because your subordinates regard you as an
expert in your rating. Subordinates may also have this type of power. When you combine
expert power with other types of power, you will find it an effective tool in influencing
others. However, when you use it by itself, you will find it ineffective.

6.4 Authority vs. Power

According to Jackson and Carter, "power is about getting someone to do something irrespective
of their desire to do it or the extent of their resistance to doing it, while authority rest on
assumptions that the person is willing to obey, and accepts the right of the person doing the
ordering to expect compliance."
Thus power is the ability to affect change while authority is the right to make any given decision.
It's easy to see how these are different: the person actually doing the work has all the power
while the person who signed off has the authority. Sometimes these things are embodied in the
same person.
Power is the ability to get things done by others. The principle of power is to punish and reward.
Power can exist with or without authority whereas authority is the power to enforce law and
take command, and to expect obedience from those without authority.

Example: An armed robber has power but no authority.
Authority can exist with or without power.

Example: A teacher has authority over the pupils but no real power.

Task Analyse the concepts of authority and power and list the similarities between
them.

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