Motivation, Job Design, and Socialization in Criminal Justice Practice Test

Position power is the authority a leader has because of their formal role in the organization. The ability to hire, fire, promote, and discipline subordinates comes from that role, not from personal influence or task-focused behaviors. This reflects legitimate power, one of the bases of power in organizational theory. It differs from task structure, which is about how work is organized and the rules that guide tasks; initiating structure, which is about directing activities and clarifying performance expectations; and consideration, which involves supporting and developing relationships with subordinates. Because the actions listed stem from the leader’s official authority, the concept that best fits is position power.