What is Power?
There are 5 sources of power that are based on superior-subordinate relationships in all organizations. Interpersonal relationships between superiors and subordinates in an organization involve different kinds of power equations. But what is ‘Power’?
5 Sources of Power in order of importance are:
- Referent Power
- Expert Power
- Legitimate Power
- Reward Power
- Coercive Power
Let’s consider you are an underconfident fresher and an Individual Performer in your organization. As Under confident person, you struggle to have any power to persuade anyone to do anything.
Above that, you don’t have any formal leadership designation from the organization, which might have given you the power to make people move.
‘Power’ is necessary, it helps you persuade others, delegate work, influence others and to safeguard yourself etc. In short ‘Power’ helps to make your life easier in the organization.
John French and Bertram Raven two American sociologists had published an article titled ‘The Bases of Power’. They have come up with these 5 Sources of power from the perspective of the person on whom the power is exerted.
What are the 5 sources of power based on superior-subordinate relationships in an organization?
Referent Power:
Referent power is when people respect you and look up to you. In such a situation as people like you, want to be with or around you, you are in a position to influence them.
Referent power is the most legit power in my opinion. It is quite difficult to get to a position when people like you so much. You need to have strong interpersonal skills to build Referent Power.
Moreover, it takes time and energy to spend time with people to build that connection.
Expert Power:
When you are the expert at what you do. People come to you to ask for help in the area that you have mastered.
Expert power is when other are dependent on your as you have developed your skills and talent in such a way that other have no option but you.
Because of this, you have the ability and power to influence people around you.
Legitimate Power:
When someone gets a promotion and is given a supervisor’s role like a Team Leader or a Manager. These roles come with a lot of responsibilities as well as powers.
The power to make sure that people are working in the office time, the power to check on the team performance and give ratings at the end of the term.
Legitimate power is bestowed by the organisation and is always temporary, as you never know when the company takes away the position or the team might also leave.
But it helps keep order in the company. That further facilitates smooth functioning within the organisation.
Reward Power
Reward Power is mostly with people who have legitimate power. Those who have the influence to give rewards and incentives have this power.
But can a manager give any reward as they wish? No. They have to take approvals for that.
Hence, this power is limited as even after someone has performed well the decision is not completely in your hands to give the reward.
Secondly, the one who performed last time might not perform well this time due to multiple reasons.
Coercive Power
Coercive power just like reward power is mostly with people who have legitimate power, i.e. they have a position of authority given by the organisation.
It is used by people in authority to influence others by threatening them. Threats might be of losing a day’s salary, losing incentives, getting demoted, or as harsh as losing one’s job.
Fear works as an influencer here. Just like one would run as fast as they can when an angry dog is running behind them, that’s because of fear. In the same way, you might have seen some managers try to get the work done using fear i.e. Coercive Power.
I have arranged the 5 Sources of power in the order of importance above, below is my justification.
- According to me the most important source of ‘Power’ to have is the Referent Power. As it is about maintaining good relationships in the workplace. It is like an invisible power.
- Followed by Expert power, as having good relationships is not enough, one needs to be excellent at their work for people to look up to them.
- I have kept legitimate power on the next position as to get here you either need to be a People’s person (referent power) or be or expert in your work (Expert Power). Only then does the higher management realize your potential and give you the supervisory position.
- Reward Power is using legitimate power positively. When you have the position you have utilized it to motivate and influence people by giving them rewards for their work.
- And, at last, I have kept Coercive Power as it is a negative use of the powers you get as a supervisor. It is completely based on getting the work done by creating fear in the minds of your team.
Which of these 5 sources of power do you think is the most critical according to you? Do let me know this in the comments below.