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Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Power and Authority

power vs authorityWhen the question is about influencing or manipulating others, two things go that side by side in the field of management are Power and Authority. These two are used to make people respond in the manner directed. Power is referred to as the capacity of an individual to influence the will or conduct of others. As against, authority is termed as the right possessed by a person to give the command to others.

Many of us think that these two terms are one and the same thing, but there exists a fine line of difference between power and authority. While the former is exercised in a personal capacity, the latter is used in a professional capacity. So, on this topic, we are going to throw light on the basic differences between the two, have a look.

Content: Power Vs Authority

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonPowerAuthority
MeaningPower means the ability or potential of an individual to influence others and control their actions. The legal and formal right to give orders and commands, and take decisions is known as an Authority.
What is it?It is a personal trait.It is a formal right, given to the high officials.
SourceKnowledge and expertise.Position & office
HierarchyPower does not follow any hierarchy.Authority follows the hierarchy.
Resides withPersonDesignation
LegitimateNoYes

Definition of 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 other’s actions, decisions and performances.

Power is not hierarchical, i.e. it can flow in any direction like it can flow from superior to subordinate (downward) or junior to senior (upward), or between the persons working at the same level, but different departments of the same organization (horizontal), or between the persons working at different levels and departments of the same organization (diagonal). In this way, it is not confined to any boundaries. Moreover, the element of politics is usually attached to it.

Definition of Authority

Authority is 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 organisation’s objectives. It is hierarchical in nature, it flows downward, i.e. delegated from superior to the subordinate.

In general, authority is exercised to get things done through others. It is attached to the position, i.e. any person who gets the position enjoys the authority attached to it, the higher the position, the higher would be his authority. As the authority lies in the designation, in the absence of authority, the position offered to the person would be of no use. Moreover, it is restricted to the organisation only.

Key Differences Between Power and Authority

The difference between power and authority can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

  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 get the designation, get the authority attached to it.
  6. Authority is legitimate whereas the power is not.

Conclusion

After reviewing the above points, it is quite clear that power and authority are two different things, where power has nothing to do with level or management or position. On the other hand, authority completely depends on these two, i.e. the position level determines the level of authority a person has. In addition to this, the authority relationships, i.e. the relationship between superior and subordinate are depicted on the organisational chart. Conversely, the power relationship is not shown in the organisation chart.

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Comments

  1. Raasi says

    August 20, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    Nice,easy to know the unknown things

    Reply
    • magdalene says

      January 19, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      great

      Reply
    • Amos says

      January 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      You’ve done it well

      Reply
  2. Nimisha mishra says

    October 25, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Very easy to understand and language was simple too!
    Thank you for this article

    Reply
  3. Hage says

    November 19, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Simple and easy way of defining the two into various point. Helped me alot for my presentation. Thank you.

    Reply
  4. SID says

    November 29, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    really understandable concept in a very comfortable way..

    Thank you So much…

    Reply
  5. Ofori samuel says

    December 13, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    In short, “let authorities keep you, power will come and set you free “.
    Perfect explanation. Thanks

    Reply
  6. Mike says

    December 26, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Thank you for an excellent piece.

    Reply
  7. eze samuel chinonso says

    January 31, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    I love your hard work but can you help to create my own blog

    Reply
  8. Lindiwe says

    April 25, 2018 at 5:14 pm

    I would like to know or understand the relationship between Power, Authority and Leadership

    Reply
    • Sirius Q says

      December 1, 2019 at 7:02 pm

      Try and look at Responsibility vs Accountability in relation to Power vs Authority. That may help regarding understanding leadership.

      Reply
  9. Muksed Ali says

    May 3, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    Wow! Excellent

    Reply
  10. Surbhi S says

    May 11, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    To all the readers, Thanks a lot for continuously appreciating Key Differences and supporting us. It motivates us to do better. Keep reading 🙂

    Reply
  11. Srutz says

    May 14, 2018 at 11:34 pm

    Wonderful article…easy to understand….fully satisfied….thank you…😄

    Reply
  12. Millicent E Parker says

    February 6, 2019 at 10:39 am

    When the Jewish Rabbis questioned Jesus’ dealings with demons, sicknesses & diseases that plagued people, showed that they well understood the difference between Power & Authority. The Comparison Chart has clearly defined sound dissect-ing of these words. I love it. Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Isa Musa Uba says

    May 13, 2019 at 3:07 am

    Wow so understandtable.

    Reply
  14. Henry says

    May 13, 2019 at 6:56 pm

    Succinctly put. its not better anywhere! you’ve got the power of key differences.

    Reply
  15. Mercy Kaumba says

    June 19, 2019 at 5:54 pm

    Thanks so much for the clear and well articulated work, my mind is now open.

    Reply
  16. Muhammad Adamu says

    July 9, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Thank you for this article.

    Reply
  17. jis says

    August 24, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    You are amazing thanks alot

    Reply
  18. Travis says

    October 2, 2019 at 1:31 am

    i like this website

    Reply
  19. John says

    October 11, 2020 at 2:59 am

    Very useful information format to use when showing that the Roman fasces

    Reply
  20. McSmoke says

    October 23, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    Thank you very much for making this easier to understand. This is very useful in determining the boundaries between power and authority, indeed. Gotcha!

    Reply
  21. Gilead maurice says

    December 9, 2020 at 2:06 am

    This has clearly outlined what have been looking for..awesome content

    Reply
  22. Tefera says

    January 21, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    You put the difference in a nutshell and understandable way. So wonderful!
    Thanks a lot

    Reply
  23. Godwin says

    October 4, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    Excellent answer and good information.

    Reply
  24. reyhan says

    December 3, 2021 at 11:44 am

    thanks a lot of information

    Reply
  25. ibrahim isah says

    March 7, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    extremely easy to understand the difference between power and authority excellence

    Reply
  26. NSABIMANA LIVINGSTONE says

    March 10, 2022 at 8:43 am

    It has been crystal clear differentiating power and authority. Before I could notably differentiate the two but now I will give a good presentation.

    Reply
  27. Aungwa Desmond msughter says

    May 19, 2022 at 12:54 am

    Very good and self explanative

    Reply
  28. Adv Sajjid Ali says

    August 5, 2022 at 11:58 pm

    Thank you so much! good information and the difference between power and authority. Once again thank you so much. May God bless you.

    Reply
  29. Repent says

    October 21, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    The point is very understandable short and brief. Authority and power are two different things or (terms)

    keep it up

    Reply
    • Sofiat says

      June 5, 2023 at 4:44 pm

      Wow very understandable short and brief.

      keep it up

      Reply
  30. Nso Clement Eyong says

    August 18, 2023 at 9:36 pm

    Powerful explanation and absolute clarity with easeness of understanding.

    Reply
  31. A.J Ayomide says

    November 13, 2023 at 9:25 pm

    You make it, more explicit to understand
    So well understandable

    Reply

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