Source of Leader Power

Power is the capacity to affect the behavior of others. Leaders in organizations typically rely on some or all six major types of power:

Legitimate power stems from a position’s placement in the managerial hierarchy and authority vested in the position. When we accept a job with an organization, we are ussualy aware that  we will recieve direction related to our workfrom an immediate boss and others in the hierarchy. Normally we accept such directions as legitimate because these persons hold positions of authority.

Reward power is based on the capacity to control and provide valued rewards to others. Most organizations offer an array of rewards that may be under a manager’s control, including pay raises, bonusses, promotion recommendations, etc.

Coercive power depends on the ability to punish others when they do not engage in desired behavior. Forms of coercion or punishment that a manager may be empowered to use include criticisms, reprimands, suspensions, warning letters that go into an individual’s personnel file, negative performance appraisal, demotions, withheld pay raises, and terminations.

Expert power is absed on the possesion of expertise that is valued by others. Managers often have considerable knowledge, technical skills, and experience that can be critical to subordinates success.

Information power result from acces to and control over the distribution of important information about organizational operations and future plans. Managers usually have better access to such information than subordinates and some discretion over how much is disseminated to work-unit members.

Referent power result from being edmired, personally identified with, or liked by others. When we admire people, want to be like them, or feel friendship toward them, we more willingly follow their directions and exhibit loyalty toward them. Some observers argue that former CEO Lee Iacocca’s initial success in turning around the chrysler corporation was based partially on the fact that he possessed referent power in relation to the work force.