Power, authority, delegation and empowerment - part 1

In this lesson

1. 0:00 Power, authority, delegation and empowerment overview
2. 0:37 Five sources of power explained
3. 1:46 Power centres in organisational hierarchy
4. 2:36 Authority defined and distinguished from power
5. 3:54 Weber's three forms of authority
6. 5:52 Authority types in business environment
7. 8:03 Responsibility and accountability distinctions
8. 9:05 Delegation process and key principles
9. 10:31 Four methods of delegation in practice

About this lesson

You'll explore the five sources of power identified by French and Raven (reward, coercive, referent, expert, and legitimate), understand how authority flows through organisational hierarchies, and examine Max Weber's three forms of authority (charismatic, traditional, and rational-legal). This foundation is crucial for papers covering management theory and organisational behaviour. The lesson then moves into the practical application of these concepts. You'll discover the four types of authority in business settings—line, staff, functional, and service authority—and learn the critical distinction between responsibility and accountability, two terms that are frequently misused interchangeably. The video clarifies that while authority and responsibility can be delegated to subordinates, accountability always remains with the person who delegated the work in the first place, a point that commonly trips up students. Finally, you'll examine the four methods of delegation used in business environments: abdication, custom and practice, explanation, and consultation. Understanding when and how to apply each method, and recognising that explanation and consultation are typically the most effective approaches, will help you answer case study and scenario-based questions on management practice. This content directly supports your understanding of how managers exercise authority and distribute work effectively within organisations.

Duration: 12m