From our lesson text this week, we know that power is an individual’s ability to influence others (Pennsylvania State University, 2015). We also know that there are five types of power:
- Expert Power – Power stemming from an individual’s expert knowledge.
- Referent Power – Power stemming from the relationship between a leader and his/her followers; the power of “liking” someone.
- Legitimate Power – Power stemming from someone’s role in an organization or situation. Think “CEO-power.”
- Reward Power – Power stemming from an individual’s ability to control resources (i.e., bonuses and promotions).
- Coercive Power – Power stemming from an individual’s ability to punish followers.
But, which type of power is best?
Each dimension of power has both its benefits and its challenges. For instance, a person can have expert power in one facet of life or work, but not hold that same power in another. Leaders with referent power sometimes “cut corners” or purposefully make decisions against the best interest of the organization to appease their revering followers. Our text states that leaders need more than legitimate power to be great leaders. Reward power can lead to compliance (but nothing else) from followers; reward power can also lead to exploitation in some instances. Lastly, coercive power can be beneficial for the greater good—the text gives the example of compliance through speeding tickets—however coercive power can also lead to pseudotransformational leaders like Jim Jones and Adolf Hitler.
In my opinion, the best type of power is expert power. I view this power resulting from experience, knowledge, and to a certain degree, respect. I also feel like this form of power is more difficult to corrupt. Granted, there will be instances in which expert power results in individuals leading groups or organizations they truly have no business leading. But, that many not really be “taking advantage” of expert power.
The other forms of power, however, can all be easily gamed. Referent and reward power can quickly turn into bribery; legitimate power is not necessarily synonymous with being powerful; and coercive power is, well, coercive.
In your opinion, which type of power is the best for a leader to have?
Pennsylvania State University (2015). Lesson 7: Power and Influence. Leadership in Work Settings. [Lecture]. Retrieved from https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/su15/psych485/002/content/07_lesson/01_page.html.