Authority is control built into a particular role, function or position that enables the individual to carry out their designated responsibilities. They are permitted to direct a situation or activity, commit resources, give instructions and expect that they be adhered to.
The following are examples of the different types of authority that a team leader may use:
Relational: when the team leader has taken the time to get to know their team personally and shows an interest in the individuals, the team develop a trustworthiness towards their superior and carry out tasks through loyalty.
Experiential: when a team leader has been in the role for a period of time they have credibility within the team, but will not necessarily be seen as dependable within the team. When the leader has been able to demonstrate further competency in their role, the team will then exhibit belief in the team leader.
Moral: the behaviour of the team leader and the successful completion of a task during a period of uncertainty will result in the team demonstrating increased levels of respect for their superior. This newfound admiration can lead the team to the next level, which could increase output in a very tight time scale.
Parental: at this level the individuals in the team will want to aspire to be like their team leader, they like the way they have been nurtured, developed and challenged to achieve and feel that they want to be like their leader.
For the team leader to be effective in his or her role and be able to exert the correct level of authority they will also need to know:
- What restrictions there are in terms of time, budget and materials
- How many people are in the team that will be needed to manage the task
- Capability and restrictions within the team
- Expected outcome of the team task be it quantity and or quality
- Consequences of failing to achieve targets as a team, and steps to take to provide resolution
A team leader’s level of authority would depend on the role, the scope of duties and the organisational structure. A team leader may have to refer to higher leadership levels for matters including staff recruitment and training, budget and resource allocation, target setting and change management.