Final answer:
Delegated authority is the power granted by a principal to an agent to perform certain actions on the principal's behalf, often outlined in written policies or laws. It is distinct from other types of authority, such as charismatic, traditional, and legal-rational authority, which are based on personal qualities, customs, and a legal system respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of authority that involves describing (orally or in writing) the actions that may be taken by an agent on behalf of a principal is Delegated Authority. For example, within a company, a manager may have delegated authority to sign contracts or make certain decisions on behalf of the organization. This authority is typically outlined in policies or bylaws which stipulate the extent and limits of the agent's powers.
Charismatic Authority is based on the exceptional personal qualities of an individual leader, while Traditional Authority comes from long-standing customs or hereditary leader qualifications. In contrast, Legal-Rational Authority is derived from a system of written rules and laws, which is most aligned with Delegated Authority in the context of a legal framework. However, Delegated Authority specifically applies to the permission granted by a principal to an agent to perform certain acts.