Question

six different sources of power; Legitimate, Reward, Coercive, Expert, Information, and Referent Power.

Describe the attributes of each source of power.

If your goal was to generate commitment in followers/subordinates, what source(s) of power would you draw upon and why?

Provide an example to illustrate your understanding.

Discuss how your experience and understanding of Circles, Triangles, and Squares has contributed to your understanding of power.

Answer 1

A leader is one who genuinely hold a control over some of the attitudes, actions and behaviors of a group of people. There is no leader without followers. Leadership is the ability of a leader to guide and direct his followers towards the accomplishment of the goal for which they have come together. A good manager in an organization needs to be good leader to extract the best from their subordinates. Here we are going to see six different sources of power for a leader, like, legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, information and referent power. But it is also to be noted that a good leader never depends fully on a single source, he needs to use different combinations of sources according to situations.

Legitimate power

this is the power derived from one's hierarchical or formal position in the organization,ie, this power is designated by the virtue of his position in the organization. Sometime it can be based on law too. It is the authority given by the organization to an individual to exercise his power by default.

Attributes

1. This is a formal power
2. Inherently unstable since attached to a position
3. Scope of power is limited to the circumstances
4. Attached to rules and regulations
5. Gives a clear picture to everyone regarding the person in power
6. It becomes a failure in the hands of a person who lacks leadership skills
7. It cannot ensure employee loyalty

Reward power

This is the power derived from one's ability to reward or withhold reward for compliance or noncompliance with rules and regulations.

Attributes

1. Formal power
2. Not unilateral, since some leaders might not have complete control over rewards
3. If not able to reward sufficiently, this power is gone
4. Rewards can be tangible or intangible
5. This power can promote good behavior and performance in employees

Information power

this power is derived from an individuals' ability to access information whenever they wnt in an organization. People with this power will have control over the information and only with their permission others will get access to it.

Attributes

1. Formal power
2. A powerful weapon since having the choice to share, conceal, distort or manipulate the information
3. But does not last for long since once given the information, you are giving away that power too
4. a content dependent power

Coercive power

As the nake suggests this involves the use of force, based on the subordinates fear of the leader. Here power is executed by the use of threats and fear of punishments

Attributes

1. Formal power, but can also be considered sometimes as personal power, since can sometime depend on personal characteristics of the leader too
2. It can be executed in two ways- direct or indirect. Direct coercion is a deliberate attempt of force by the leader and indirect can be a perceived one, as being forced by the leader
3. Ca be used against insubordination
4. There is always a threat of low job satisfaction from the employees
5. It needs to be used very sparingly, ie, when in great need
6. There is a threat of employee retaliation

Expert power

This power come from an individuals expertism or mastery in a particular field. Sometime this could be a perception by the subordinates too. Here the leader can influence his subordinates using his expertism in a particular field

Attributes

1. Personal power
2. Subordinates will definitely show willingness to accept instructions from an expert
3. Can impart knowledge to the subordinates
4. This instigates respect, trust and admiration among others towards the leader
5. But the power diminishes as the knowledge is shared
6. A constant effort is a must for the leader to retain expert power
7. Some experts have tendency to see everything form their perspective only, causing resentment from followers

Referent power

this is purely a personal power which is highly individualistic. This is derived from the personal characteristics of the leader, an individual who plays a reference model to many followers

Attributes

1. Personal power
2. Associated with personal charisma
3. Referent leader plays a role model
4. Can gain this power over a period of time
5. very powerful

I feel that the best leader is a person who can make use of all these forces according to the situation. There is no exact borderline to a leader skills, he/she should be person with multiple skills who clearly knows the pulse of his subordinates, knows to analyze the situation and understand the demands of the situation. According use his powers to guide and direct his subordinates. Adhering to one style and depending on one source of power is the sign of a good leader, say for example, if his subordinates are not that educated and cannot take decisions on their on, some time using expert and coercion as a source is demanded. A good leader is always situational and the style and source depends on the characteristics of the followers.