Power and Politics in Business Leadership

Power and Politics in Business Leadership

A person can have power over you only if he or she controls something you desire where does power come from?
what is it that gives an individual or a group influence over other?

Coercive power:

it is about forcing someone to do something against his/her will.It can be physically generally used by dictators.Although it has negative implication,this can be used to keep peace.For instance your parents could coerce you into doing something for your good and so on by leaders.

Reward power:

Reward power is ability to give people what they want in exchange for something you want to them to do.Take business organization example we all do jobs because we need money.If you are induced to reach your target because of monetary returns for doing
so,you will be prepared to work that much harder but reward doesn't mean money,reward can be holiday or any incentive give to make you work harder or given in recognition of work done.Reward can be used to punish such as when they are with held.The promise is essentially same do this and you will receive that in return.

Legitimate power:

Legitimate power is something that is invested in role.People such as kings and managers all have legitimate power .At workplace because you are in certain position.People therefore obey or listen to you because your position is powerful you are not.
And many times managers who are dis invested of this power are surprised that they no longer have people fawning all over them.They mistakenly think that they were powerful and not the position they occupying.

Referent power:

Referent power stems from another person liking you or wanting to be like you.It is power of charisma and fame and is wielded by all celebrities.

Expert power:

Expert power which comes when you have skills and knowledge base for in excess of your workforce this allow you to negotiate successfully, to have people look up to you and emulate your example so on.

You can use these forms of power as checklist in workplace either in combination or alone.