The essence of leadership is the use of power. Company leaders usually begin as regular employees and most employees eventually reach a place of leadership and power to some degree. It is important to understand from where power comes.
"Power" is a complex and elusive topic to understand. Power was once open and easily recognized. In the modern age, power is often nuanced, covert, and hidden. Good leader's use their power to make others and society a better place, but Lord Acton reminds us that power is easily corrupted. We should all be so lucky to work for servant leaders, but many leaders use their power to manipulate or force their subordinates to action.
There are many thoughts and theories regarding power. One theory often used in organizational research is the Bases of Social Power Theory by two researchers named French and Raven. According to this theory (that still holds up today) there are five sources of power for individual's in organizations (a sixth was later added).
REWARD POWER is based on the ability or perceived ability of the person to bestow rewards on a person. We have all been motivated by the promise of a pay raise, a significant bonus, or extra time off of work. A manager, supervisor, or any person with the authority will use their power of reward to persuade individuals to do what they ordinarily would not do otherwise.
COERCIVE POWER is the ability or perceived ability to punish any person that does not conform to instructions or expectations. This power is the opposite of reward power and is despicable when taken to an extreme. If reward power is the carrot, then coercive power is the stick.
LEGITIMATE POWER (also known as Normative Power) is based on organizational authority. It is based on the fact or perception that someone has the right to prescribe behavior based on the election or appointment to a position of authority. In the past (and in some places in the world), people are born into positions of legitimate power, but today people rise to positions of authority the through external means of appointment or election.
REFERENT POWER comes when followers want to emulate the person who possess this form of power. People such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa yield power merely by influence, not by rewards, coercion, or positions of authority. This power base is not to be underestimated, it is the power that causes people to take up a cause and fight to the death.
EXPERT POWER is power based on knowledge, ability, expertise, or skill. Giving substance to the adage that "knowledge is power". Many people have risen to great heights because of the ability they have in bettering the company or society. People spend years trying to rise to the top of the authority pyramid and never get appointed or hired to a position of power. Rare are those individuals that people want to emulate to the point they are in a position of power. However, everyone has control over their knowledge and abilities by developing themselves. Expert power is within the realm of possibility for everyone. I heard a motivational speaker once encourage the audience to become an expert in something.
INFORMATION POWER is similar to expert power, but has been distinguished from it. Information power is based on controlling the information needed by others and companies. The person that controls the necessary information also controls the outcomes.
So what?
Everybody is on both sides of power. Employees have bosses, but they also oversee and train other employees. If you seek a position of authority or not, these opportunities usually present themselves at some point in our careers. Having an understanding of power, power bases, and potential abuses will make you a better leader.
Going Further
1. Describe the ways that people in authority above you use their power.
2. Describe the way you use power with people you are over.
3. Explain how each of the bases of power can be abused.
4. Explain how each base of power can be used to benefit society.
5. How do you or will you in the future use your power?
There are many thoughts and theories regarding power. One theory often used in organizational research is the Bases of Social Power Theory by two researchers named French and Raven. According to this theory (that still holds up today) there are five sources of power for individual's in organizations (a sixth was later added).
REWARD POWER is based on the ability or perceived ability of the person to bestow rewards on a person. We have all been motivated by the promise of a pay raise, a significant bonus, or extra time off of work. A manager, supervisor, or any person with the authority will use their power of reward to persuade individuals to do what they ordinarily would not do otherwise.
COERCIVE POWER is the ability or perceived ability to punish any person that does not conform to instructions or expectations. This power is the opposite of reward power and is despicable when taken to an extreme. If reward power is the carrot, then coercive power is the stick.
LEGITIMATE POWER (also known as Normative Power) is based on organizational authority. It is based on the fact or perception that someone has the right to prescribe behavior based on the election or appointment to a position of authority. In the past (and in some places in the world), people are born into positions of legitimate power, but today people rise to positions of authority the through external means of appointment or election.
REFERENT POWER comes when followers want to emulate the person who possess this form of power. People such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa yield power merely by influence, not by rewards, coercion, or positions of authority. This power base is not to be underestimated, it is the power that causes people to take up a cause and fight to the death.
EXPERT POWER is power based on knowledge, ability, expertise, or skill. Giving substance to the adage that "knowledge is power". Many people have risen to great heights because of the ability they have in bettering the company or society. People spend years trying to rise to the top of the authority pyramid and never get appointed or hired to a position of power. Rare are those individuals that people want to emulate to the point they are in a position of power. However, everyone has control over their knowledge and abilities by developing themselves. Expert power is within the realm of possibility for everyone. I heard a motivational speaker once encourage the audience to become an expert in something.
INFORMATION POWER is similar to expert power, but has been distinguished from it. Information power is based on controlling the information needed by others and companies. The person that controls the necessary information also controls the outcomes.
So what?
Everybody is on both sides of power. Employees have bosses, but they also oversee and train other employees. If you seek a position of authority or not, these opportunities usually present themselves at some point in our careers. Having an understanding of power, power bases, and potential abuses will make you a better leader.
1. Describe the ways that people in authority above you use their power.
2. Describe the way you use power with people you are over.
3. Explain how each of the bases of power can be abused.
4. Explain how each base of power can be used to benefit society.
5. How do you or will you in the future use your power?
---------------
PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSORS
BY CLICKING ON THEIR ADDS.
THANK YOU!
This blog is dedicated to development topics that will make you a better employee.
Join the discussion.
If you have a question, leave it in the comments section below.
If you have a comment, leave it in the comment section below.
If you have a suggestion for a topic, leave it in the comment section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment