POWER, INFLUENCE AND AUTHORITY

Power

In simple terms it can be expressed as being “upward” or “downward”. With downward power, a company’s superior influences subordinates for attaining organizational goals. When a company exerts upward power, it is the subordinates who influence the decisions of their leader or leaders. Power is the ability to influence or outright control the behavior of people. The term “authority” is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power can be seen as evil or unjust, this sort of primitive exercise of power is historically endemic to humans, however as social beings the same concept is seen as good and as something inherited or given for exercising humanistic objectives that will help, enable and move people. In general, it is derived by the factors of interdependence between two entities and the environment.

Authority

Authority most often comes from the duties and responsibilities delegated to a position holder in a bureaucratic structure. In government, the term authority is often used interchangeably with power. However, their meanings differ: while power can be defined as the ability to order or accomplish a goal or to influence others, authority refers to a claim of legitimacy, the justification and right to exercise that power. For example, while a mob may have the power to punish a criminal by beating or lynching, the rule of law indicates that only a court of law has the authority to determine and refer a criminal for punishment.

Influence

Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or do what you want. It can be said to be the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.