Bases of Power Flashcards

Five Bases of Power

• Referent Power:

  • Relies on personal relationships between leaders and followers.
  • Often stems from admiration or respect; example includes a beloved college professor.

• Expert Power:

  • Rooted in a leader’s specialized skills or knowledge.
  • Followers see the leader as competent in a specific area; exemplified by an individual proficient in a particular software program.

• Legitimate Power:

  • Draws from a recognized position or formal authority within an organization.
  • Associated with roles that confer rights and responsibilities; for instance, a judge has the authority to oversee legal cases.

• Reward Power:

  • Based on the ability to grant rewards or benefits to others.
  • Often held by individuals in supervisory roles who can provide incentives like bonuses or promotions.

• Coercive Power:

  • Arises from the capacity to impose penalties or punishments.
  • Commonly seen in educational settings, such as a teacher who can reduce a student's grade for noncompliance.