Power

Power refers to a capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B, so that B acts in
accordance with A’s wishes.
• Power may exist but not be used. It is, therefore, a capacity or potential.
• Probably the most important aspect of power is that it is a function of dependency.
• The greater B’s dependence on A, the greater is A’s power in the relationship.
• Dependence, in turn, is based on alternatives that B perceives and the importance that B places
on the alternative(s) that A controls.
• A person can have power over you only if he or she controls something you desire.

Concept of Power
Power - the ability to influence another person Influence - the process of
affecting the thoughts, behavior, & feelings of another person
Authority - the right to influence another person
Coercive Power:
• The coercive power base is being dependent on fear.
• It rests on the application, or the threat of application, of physical sanctions such as the
infliction of pain, the generation of frustration through restriction of movement, or the
controlling by force of basic physiological or safety needs.
• At the organizational level, A has coercive power over B if A can dismiss, suspend, or demote
B, assuming that B values his or her job.
• Similarly, if A can assign B work activities that B finds unpleasant or treat B in a manner that B
finds embarrassing, A possesses coercive power over B.
Reward Power:
• The opposite of coercive power is reward power.
• People comply because doing so produces positive benefits; therefore, one who can distribute
rewards that others view as valuable will have power over those others.
• These rewards can be anything that another person values.
• Coercive power and reward power are actually counterparts of each other.
a. If you can remove something of positive value from another or inflict something of negative
value upon him/her, you have coercive power over that person.
b. If you can give someone something of positive value or remove something of negative
value, you have reward power over that person.
Legitimate Power:
• In formal groups and organizations, the most frequent access power is one’s structural position.
It represents the power a person receives as a result of his/her position in the formal hierarchy.
• Positions of authority include coercive and reward powers.
• Legitimate power, however, is broader than the power to coerce and reward. It includes
acceptance of the authority of a position by members of an organization.
Charismatic Power:
• Is an extension of referent power stemming from an individual’s personality and interpersonal
style.
• Others follow because they can articulate attractive visions, take personal risks, demonstrate
follower sensitivity, etc.

Expert Power:
• Expert power is "influence wielded as a result of expertise, special skill, or knowledge."
• Expertise has become a powerful source of influence as the world has become more
technological. As jobs become more specialized, we become increasingly dependent on experts
to achieve goals.