Sociologist Max Weber drew a clear line between power and authority: Power is the ability to get your way—even in the face of resistance.
Authority is the legitimate right to do so, granted by role, rules, or structure. One is informal. The other is formal.
One is about influence. The other is about position. Here’s how it shows up at work: - A respected engineer, not the team lead, suggests a new direction, and the team follows.
→ That’s power, not authority. - A team lead sets the priorities for the next sprint.
→ That’s both power and authority in action. - An early career developer confidently sets the approach to the implementation of a feature.
→ That’s power, even without formal authority. - A VP announces a hiring freeze.
→ That’s authority backed by power.
If you lead a team, or influence one, you need to be aware of both: - Authority gives you decision rights, but that doesn’t guarantee people will follow with energy or belief.
- Power gives you influence, but without formal backing, your ideas may never move past suggestion.
Most of the confusion (and tension) in organisations comes from unclear boundaries between the two: - Someone has the title, but not the trust.
- Someone has the trust, but not the role.
- A decision is made “officially,” but it doesn’t stick because the influential voices weren’t involved.
So what do you do as a leader? - Be clear when you’re exercising authority, and when you’re inviting influence.
(“This is my call” vs. “I’m still deciding, what do you think?”) - Recognise who holds power, even without a title.
These are the people who quietly shape direction, mood, and momentum. Pay attention to them. - Use your authority to amplify trusted power, not override it.
Great leaders back good ideas and help them spread. - Actively share power by drawing out quieter voices.
Make space for those who rarely speak up—not because they lack ideas, but because they lack confidence or practice. Influence grows through use, and you can help distribute it.
Authority gives you the right to decide.
Power determines whether your decisions will stick. The best leaders know how to use both, without confusing them. Until next time,
Dermot
The Messy Middle |