Question

What is 'Official Authority' as identified by Henri Fayol?

• A. Authority earned through intelligence and experience.
• B. Authority derived from personal charisma.
• C. The formal authority that comes with a manager's position.
• D. Authority granted by external regulatory bodies.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The formal authority that comes with a manager's position.

• According to Henri Fayol, Official Authority is the formal power and right to give orders that is derived directly from a manager's position or rank within the organizational hierarchy. It is an inherent part of the job title and is granted to the individual in a formal capacity. Fayol distinguished this from Personal Authority, which is the authority a person gains through their intelligence, experience, moral character, and ability to lead. He emphasized that a manager's overall authority is a combination of both official and personal authority.