Question

Create an example that clearly defines difference between formal and informal authority? In the context of the definition, what is the difference between leadership and authority?   Please conduct research to support your discussion, citing at least one resource in APA format.  

Answer 1

The example is of a manufacturing shopfloor where production takes place 24x7, owing to continuous nature of production process.The formal authority of the plant is with John, the plant manager who chalks out  the production plan, deciding which lot would be run on which machine to optimise the production process and utilise the resources in best possible manner. He delegates the duties to different people and leaves for the regional office. The informal authority is with Marcus, who is the oldest foreman in the company. He knows each and every person by name and has very clear insight about the people and the machines. He assigns individual  task to each person best capable of doing it and also makes small changes in the John's plans if he thinks it so in his absence. He is so adept in this work, that often John, the plant manager can be seen taking advice from him in many strategic issues. Here, the plant manager;s authority comes from his position assigned by the company, while that of Marcus comes from his relationships with the workers and superiors and his knowledge gained through work experience.

Leadership is an ability to attract the people by virtue of certain personality attributes and abilities, and make them follow his /her moves. Leader leads by the example, takes initiatives, found at the forefront of every matter, and has empathy towards each follower. He /she is concerned about the people who follow them, knows each one of them personally, and has influence, good enough to make them buy his /her views unconditionally. The person with authority has his /her authority, granted not earned as by the leader. The person of authority might be able to get his /her people to do work, as directed, but is less likely to get them to support his /her ideas and actions in all tasks at all times. In fact, the people under the person with authority respect and follow his post, not the person, while those in case of the leader, respect and follow the person.