Skip to content

ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Leadership, management and supervision

Which of the following is the best example of the source of power that distinguishes a manager from an informal leader?

A manager's distinguishing source of power is legitimate power, which comes from the formal position held in the organisation's hierarchy. Informal leaders lack this and instead rely on personal sources such as expertise or the respect and admiration of the group, known as expert and referent power.

  1. AExpert power, because only managers possess technical knowledge
  2. BReferent power, because managers are always admired by their subordinates
  3. CLegitimate power, arising from the formal position held in the organisation's hierarchyCorrect
  4. DCharismatic power, because managers are selected for their personality

Explanation

Managers hold legitimate (position) power conferred by their place in the hierarchy, along with reward and coercive powers. Informal leaders rely on personal sources such as expert or referent power, which do not depend on formal position. Expert and referent power can be held by anyone, so they do not distinguish managers.

Did you get it right without looking?

One question tells you little. A timed set on Leadership, management and supervision shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.

Practise Leadership, management and supervisionFree diagnostic mock

More Leadership, management and supervision questions