Power vs. Authority
This photo of Francoise Gilot illustrates a dynamic between power and authority. Picasso: older, male, White, famous, but in the background. Francoise: young, a woman, also a painter, but most famous for being Picasso’s partner. Francoise’ image dominates the photo, not only taking up the space close to the camera, but with her expression—looking towards, but not at her partner, her mouth set, determined, trepidation in her eyes. There is so much to investigate about the balance of power and authority in this photo.
It is certainly a complex analysis—a fluid dance between the many ways we gain and lose power and authority as our cultural and organizational values change, as our roles change, as we age, as we accomplish, as we amass wisdom, wealth, and respect. And, importantly, as our own internal sense of confidence and worth shifts and grows.
In working with my clients, I find it helpful to distinguish between power and authority.
Generally speaking, “power” means we have some control that can be forced upon others, while “authority” means we have accepted and legitimate influence and ability to make change. Simply, power gives us the ability to control and authority gives us the ability to make change. We can have both authority and power, as well as one without the other.
If we have little authority, but some amount of power, we may double-down on the power to have some autonomy. Think about a child. The parent has the authority, but the child can refuse to go to sleep or eat. The child has that power. And, if there is a struggle, the child may choose to use it.
I think of this dynamic every time I go to the DMV. The people who work there have no authority to change the system. But they do have power over those of us waiting in line….I wonder what would change if they were given some actual authority? Maybe the need to exercise the little power they have would not be so great if they also had authority over some aspect of their work.
If we have authority, but little power, we may also run into trouble. Think of a figure-head. In our town, for instance, the mayor is not elected by the people, but is a City Council member who is chosen by the other council members. They have a title which bestows authority, but their only actual power is the set the agenda.
The expectation is that power comes with authority, but that is not always the case.
Knowing what a particular role or job bestows is vital. Recently, a client was offered what felt like an enormous honor: to start a whole new division. When I asked what her goals were in this new position, she was passionate about her big plans. When I asked her what support she had to make these big plans happen—How many on your team? What is your budget?—she said that she had no budget and no team. Authority without power.
A supervisor asking for input must be clear—”I will listen to your ideas, but know that I have the power and the authority to make the final decision.” If we are not clear when soliciting input, people may think they have the decision-making power and feel angry when their ideas are not implemented.
This week, take note of the places in our lives that we have power and authority. Are there changes we’d like to make to shift the balance in order to be more effective, be more fulfilled, to give others more balance in their power and authority?
While we contemplate, we can listen to the best song ever written about the DMV: