Power and Leadership

The foundation of leadership is power. Leaders have power over their followers and they wield this power to exert their influence. There are five basic types of power that can be used by leaders.

i.    Legitimate Power

This is based on the perception that the leader has the right to exercise influence because of his position and roles. It is power created and conveyed by the organization.

ii.    Reward Power

The power to grant and withhold various types of rewards. These rewards may include pay increases, promotion, praise, recognition, etc. The greater and the more important the reward, the more power a leader has.

iii.    Coercive Power

The power to force compliance through psychological, emotional or physical threat. In industrial organizations coercion may be subtle through oral reprimands, fines, layoffs, demotion. In military organizations coercion could actually be physical.

iv.    Expert Power

Power based on knowledge and expertise. The more knowledge one has and the fewer the people who are aware of it, the more power he has.

v.    Referent Power

Power based on subordinates identification with the leader, it usually distinguishes leaders from non leaders. The leader exerts influence because of charisma and reputation. The follower wishes to be like the leader or to be associated with him.

Note:

Most leaders use several different types of power at the same time. However, regardless of the manager's skills power always has its limits. Generally people can only be influenced up to a point and willingness to follow usually is limited. Few leaders can maintain a long term support for their ideas and programs.

Employees usually react to attempts to influence them either by showing commitment, compliance, or resistance.