Question

Abigail, a department manager, is struggling trying to lead a cross-functional team. Most members are other department managers at her level, and they see no reason to do what she asks. Here, Abigail has

a. high task structure.b. low tolerance for ambiguity.c. poor leader-member relations.d. weak referent power.e. weak position power.

Answer 1

Answer: weak position power

Explanation: In simple words, position power refers to the authority that one possess over others in an organisation due to the position in the managerial hierarchy such individual holds. The position power work as a base line for the senior subordinate relationship in a firm.

The position power makes flow of communication vertical, that is, from downward to upward and vice versa, which creates a sense of respect and fear among the subordinate towards their seniors.

In the given case, Abigail is the department manager and the other participant on which she wants to make order to holds same position as she do. Thus, there is no senior subordinate relationship among them which concludes weak position power.