Introduction
You have,in topic 4,learned about leadership.Let us now consider authority and power in Educational Administration.We will divide this topic into two major sections.
- Authority
- Power
Objectives
At the end of this topic the participant should be able to;
1. Discuss both authority and power
2. Identify and describe the two bases of authority;
3. Differentiate between line and staff authority.
4. Identify and discuss four sources of power.
Learnining Activites
There is a fine line of difference between power and authority, especially as bases for LeaderShip. JamesHunter writes in TheServant (pp.29-34) that "If leadership is about influencing others, how do we go about developing that influence with people? How do we get people to do our will? How do we get their ideas, commitment, creativity, and excellence, which are by definition voluntary gifts?
To better understand how one develops this type of influence, it is critical to understand the difference between power and authority.
Activity1: Authority
The influential sociologist Max Weber proposed a theory of authority that included three types. He pioneered a path towards understanding how authority is legitimated as a belief system. His essay “The three types of legitimate rule”, translated in English and published posthumously in 1958, is the clearest explanation of his theory.Read the link on authority and derive a definiton of Authority.
Activity 2: Types of Authority
Weber’s three types of authority are traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational authority. Coser points out that Weber wrote about “pure” types of authority, and that “he was aware that in empirical reality mixtures will be found in the legitimation of authority” (Coser 1971, 227). As such, many examples of the following authority types may overlap.
- Read the link on types of authority, from your reading distinguish between line and staff authority.
Questions
- Identify and discuss the two basis categories of staff positions.
- Using specific examples from your local school, discuss position authority.
Activity3:Power
You enter the classroom and announce that you are giving the students a surprise exam.
Instruct students to clear their desks except for writing tools. Students should be shocked and grumbling by now but, if necessary, hand out the exams and instruct students to begin.In response to their complaints, simply reply with statements such as: "I'm in charge here, I can give you an exam if I choose to do so." "I make the decisions around here." “I have the authority to give you whatever assignments I determine are necessary." “Yes, I do have the power to do this. After all, I am the teacher."
From this scenario you should be able to define "Power" and Point out major similarity between power and authority.
Activity Reasources
Read the resource provided on the definition of power by max weber, from this reading conceptualize your own definition of power.
Read the resource provided on the definition of power by max weber, from this reading conceptualize your own definition of power.
Sources of power
In 1959, American sociologists John French and Bertram Raven published an article, "The Bases of Power," that's regarded as the basis for classifying power in organizations. They identified five sources of power. Read the link on the various sources of power.Based on your reading attempt the study questions below.
1. Sources of power
1. Sources of power
Study questions
1. Identify five sources of power
2. First, illustrate your understanding of the relationship between reward power and partner authority; then illustrate your understanding of relationship between coercive power and partner authority.
Assessment
1. Discuss how the head teacher, in a local secondary school, could use personal authority to effect good relationship among members teaching staff.
2. List 3 cares where a head teacher will be advised to delegate power to his teachers.
3. Live authority is not absolute and therefore, must be applied with discretion. Discuss this statement.
4. Identify and discuss two sources of power which are related to personal authority. Give three specific examples from your school.
SUMMARY
In this topic,you have learned about the two major elements of leadership;authority and power.Authority is a special kind of power,it has two bases;position and personal.
