Authority means what?

Authority means what?

• A. The right to hire and fire
• B. Formal power within an organization
• C. Influence from personal popularity
• D. Control over day-to-day schedules

Answer: (B)

Authority is formal power within an organization—the official right granted by the structure to direct others, make decisions, and enforce rules. It comes from the position itself, not from how popular or persuasive someone is. Personal popularity is informal influence, not authority. Controlling day-to-day schedules may be part of a role, but the essence of authority is the formal ability to issue directions and expect compliance across the organization. That combination of position-based power and decision-making scope is why formal power within the organization is the best description.

Authority is formal power within an organization—the official right granted by the structure to direct others, make decisions, and enforce rules. It comes from the position itself, not from how popular or persuasive someone is. Personal popularity is informal influence, not authority. Controlling day-to-day schedules may be part of a role, but the essence of authority is the formal ability to issue directions and expect compliance across the organization. That combination of position-based power and decision-making scope is why formal power within the organization is the best description.