Authority is defined as the power to enforce obedience. Enforcing obedience requires been in a position to impose authority – what is authority position? A person that is in a position of authority is usually backed by law, and policies in the organization. In other words, his or her power, is under the policies governing the environment from where the authority is been enforced. Who can be in a position of authority: managers, presidents, governors, parents, etc, all these people occupies a position of power. In the concept of power, there are the subordinates or followers depending on the condition. For instance in an organization, the word followers is inappropriate, worker, subordinates is more like it, but in the military settings, or in connection with a public worker like a president, followers is an appropriate appendage. So what is authority position, and how does it relate with organizational entities?

Definition Of Authority Position

What is authority position? It is the power to act. That is a very simple and abridged definition of the term. You might be wondering, power to act, on what? The answer to that is actually in the position aspect of the whole concept. The position maybe; managerial, presidential, ambassadorial, supervisory, parental position etc, each of these positions are guided by policies and rules, which also supplies the roles and responsibilities of the position. A person occupying a managerial position is expected to have some skills, and educational qualifications that make him or her suitable for the post. These roles are spelt out in organizational policies, and must be carried out to the later. What is the common behavior of one who is in a position of authority?

The maxim that total power corrupts absolutely is ascribed to conditions under what is authority position issue. The statement has been proven to be true in many circumstances; it takes into consideration human’s tendency to be intoxicated when endowed with total power. When people occupying choice positions act against the stipulations of the guiding tenets, he or she is said to be going against the scope of the position, and the side effects: conflicts, hostile environments, lose of focus, goal abortion etc. Example of some activities contrary to authority position are: not paying workers salary when due or at all, sexual harassments, not executing their roles and responsibility effectively, creating hostile environments by encouraging intolerance, favoritism and so on. According to United States law, and some other countries (United Kingdom, and Canada) the breach of authority position is tantamount to abuse of trust. Because what is authority position is basically giving a choice position “on trust” to someone who is deemed suitable and qualified to occupy such position, when he or she goes against the precepts, breaking laws, the issues of trust is brought under contention which should attract punishments.

So under this legal entity that recognizes crimes committed in a position of trust, it is viewed unfavorably and as such attracts severe punishments. Examples: President convicted of siphoning a country’s wealth or a manager convicted of sexually harassing a female subordinate, all constitutes a breach of trust in an authority position. It should be noted once again, that the company, or the environment that a position of authority is been exercise possess sets of rules and regulations that spells out the roles, and responsibilities of the person in power guided by these policies.

Importance Of Authority Position

What is authority position and other relevant issues like breach of trust and its impacts has been discussed, next is to take a look at the importance of authority position.

Relevance Of Authority Position

1.                  Final say. If you are in the position of authority there is the tendency to always have your way, especially where decision making is concerned. These benefits go on as long as one proves to be right most of the time. What do you think will happen if 70% of the times, your decision are wrong? This will definitely be a minus to you, but if your decisions always come out to be right most of the time, you will receive praise for a good job and most importantly a confirmation that you deserve the position of trust.

2.                  A position of authority earns you a personality expression, people look up to you and perceive you as a model

3.                  Position of authority is a commanding position. You have the great opportunity to have people under your beck and call – so to speak.

4.                  In a position of power, one can make mistakes and get away with it. There will be no one to notice except you, all you have to do is quickly cover it up, and desist from it in the future – that is what a wise person will do, the question is are you wise enough? Because this benefit if abused can turn against you one day, remember there is nothing hidden under the sun, if you commit a mistake, cover it up and continue in it, one day will you be caught.

If you wish to occupy a position of power, you need to know what authority position is, and most importantly, when you have achieved it, do all you can to leave a mark, make a name for yourself, and don’t allow the power in the authority to intoxicate you.

Incoming search terms:

• position of authority definition
• authority position
• positional authority definition
• to force someone to leave a position of authority
• position of authority
• positional authority power
• positions of authority definition
• posture of authority
• power authority position
• someone in a position of authority

No related posts.