How they use power and authority has great bearing on their success as leaders. I have worked with leadership coaching clients who confuse power and authority and as a result, lead less effectively.
I believe that understanding the differences between the two can help in understanding the roles and responsibilities of leaders. In a strictly physical sense, power is a rate of transferring energy over a set period of time, like the electrical power you use to make your computer work.
Power can get things done, as any historical account of warfare will attest. It is necessary for roles of leadership, but it must be used judiciously and not abused.
Authority, on the other hand, is more analogous to the electrical cables that get the power to your office. In terms of leadership, authority is the glue that holds together the many promises of leadership. It has several key attributes :. Power is something simple and basic. It is often more effective in the shorter term. Subsequently, high tech suffered a severe downturn from through Downturns create an even greater need for innovation in products, behaviors, and organizational structures—and thus an opportunity for the no-authority approach.
When the sector revived, the company achieved growth for 13 consecutive quarters, through mid Their experiences lend credence to the notion that companies reliant on knowledge and innovation should abandon the traditional structure in which decision rights are reserved for people at the top. Knowledge companies should abandon the traditional structure in which decision rights are reserved for people at the top.
This applies mainly to knowledge organizations, but even production-oriented companies can benefit from having employees who feel more empowered and engaged. If abdication of authority is to yield value for the corporation, however, individuals must be self-motivated. CSC Germany does this by allowing employees to work on the one of five topics that best utilizes their talents and excites their interest.
This involves joining a topic community, such as the one focusing on strategy and innovation. Issues are discussed in these groups until all participants come to an agreement, and leadership within the groups shifts frequently, settling on individuals who have the most competence in the areas of focus and are accepted by others as leaders.
Hitting numerical goals has been the natural outcome. They won't work for you the way they would a more successful leader. Authority comes from influence -- cultivating a desire in other people to work for you. You can create this authority by removing the barriers facing employees and by being trustworthy, caring, committed, selfless and, most importantly, an incredible listener.
It took a lot for me to learn to shift my paradigm from power to authority and to become a servant leader. This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here. More From Forbes. Nov 8, , pm EST. Sep 28, , am EDT. Aug 30, , am EDT. Aug 18, , pm EDT. Aug 2, , am EDT. Jul 26, , pm EDT. Jul 13, , am EDT. Jun 13, , am EDT. Jun 11, , pm EDT. Edit Story. Nov 19, , am EST.
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