Read the passage and answer questions. ‘Power’ has been differentiated by…
2020
Read the passage and answer questions.
‘Power’ has been differentiated by numerous authors and practitioners. Amitai Etzioni was among the first to describe individuals who are able to induce other individuals to comply and take action because of their position in the organization as having position power; those who derive their power from their followers are considered to have personal power. Some are skilled enough to have both. Position power is the extent to which those people to whom managers report are willing to delegate authority and responsibility to them. So position power tends to flow down in an organization. This is not to say that leaders do not have any impact on how much position power they accrue. They certainly do. The confidence and trust they develop with the people around them will often determine the willingness of upper management to delegate to them. Remember, though, that whatever power is delegated downward can also be taken back. Personal power is the extent to which followers respect, feel good about, and are committed to the leader. They believe that their own needs and goals will be recognized, supported, and facilitated by their leader. As such personal power in an organisational setting comes from below - from the followers - and so flows up in an organisation. Personal power is not inherent in the leader. If it were, managers with personal power could take over any department and have the same commitment and rapport they had in their last department. Personal power is a day-to-day phenomenon. Personal power is a critical part of having and demonstrating emotional intelligence.
Q. Position power, when delegated is
- A.
volatile
- B.
permanent
- C.
absolute
- D.
inherent
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
When authority is delegated, its continuity depends on whether the delegating source maintains the grant. Authority that can be withdrawn is contingent and changeable; authority that cannot be withdrawn would instead be permanent or inherent.
Application
The passage says that upper management delegates position power downward and that any power delegated downward can also be taken back. Its existence therefore depends on the continuing willingness of superiors, so “volatile” best describes it.
Contrast
“Permanent” implies continuing indefinitely without withdrawal.
“Absolute” concerns freedom from limits, whereas delegated authority remains bounded by its source.
“Inherent” means intrinsic rather than granted by an external authority.
Cross-check
If upper management can withdraw the grant, the power is neither permanent nor inherent, and it is not unlimited. Therefore, delegated position power is volatile.