Discuss Power and Authority. What Are Different Kinds of Power?

Discuss power and authority. What are different kinds of power? Give examples.

What is the purpose of delegation and why is it used?

Having power over people doesn’t always mean you are their boss, it also means you have the ability to influence them into doing things. Any good leader will have this power. They will be able to have that person feel that they WANT to do that task the best they can, instead of the authoritative boss TELLING them they have to do that task.

There are five different types of power; legitimate or position power, reward power, coercive power, referent power and expert power.

Legitimate or position power, is the power associated with the position or title they hold.

Rewards power is to motivate your employees on the idea that, if they do a go job they get rewards i.e. promotion, raises, bonuses or just simply recognition of a job well done in front of their peers.

Coercive power is to motivate your employee out of fear. Fear of being demoted, lose in pay or fired, if they did not meet the goals of their assignment.

Referent power this is where the employees looks at this person as a role model. This power is probably the best motivator. For example, think back when you were a kid watching a sports player on TV and saying to yourself, I want to be just like that player when I grow up. This type of power, probably motivated you to try to be the best in that sport.

Expert power is where a person has a lot of knowledge in a certain or broad area, people come to that person for information. This gives that person power over the other. The relationship between the students and the professor is an example of expert power.

There are three types of authority; line authority, staff authority and functional authority.

Line authority is when the manager supervises the subordinates, giving direct orders to his subordinates.

Staff authority is when the manager takes on more of a supportive role, assisting or advising the...