Which term describes the formal authority derived from one's billet within the organization?

• A. Organizational
• B. Administrative
• C. Legal
• D. Personal

Answer: (A)

Authority tied to the position you hold in the organization is organizational authority. It comes from your job title and the structure of the organization, giving you the right to direct others, allocate resources, and enforce rules within the scope of your role. This differs from administrative authority, which is about managing processes; legal authority, which comes from laws or regulations; and personal authority, which depends on individual influence rather than the job itself. For example, a department head can approve expenditures because of organizational authority that accompanies their role, not because of personal charisma.