ABSTRACT
Power and authority are behavioural processes that are manifested in influence and determine the way in which governance is acted out. Power is the ability to influence others. This is an increasingly important ability in order to sustain an organization in challenging times; for example in convincing financial organizations to advance funding to support business growth or in undertaking a merger of services. Power is legitimized in authority. Power may be sought and used by individuals or groups, particularly in times of change. The quest for power can lead to healthy and productive competitive outcomes or it can result in disruptive, selfish or harmful behaviours, where the outcomes are not as beneficial.
