The six types Leadership of power in order from least effective to most

effective (John French and Bertram Raven)

=Each of us has power and each of us has the power to choose how our power
is used. Knowing what the types of power are and how they can be used (or
abused) is important to our ability to make decisions that affect both our
sphere of influence and our personal core values.

Coercive Power

= the least effective but most employed (and abused) type of power in the
corporate world.
=forcing someone to do something against his will or setting up “consequences”
to employee actions.
=Coercive leaders rely on threats, bullying, and “or-else” language to “motivate”
those that are beneath them.
=This type of behaviour often leads to fear, dissatisfaction, and resentment.

Reward Power

= widely used method in business today

= The results of Reward power are mixed and it is therefore the second weakest
form of power.
= the concept of “do this and get that” Or (said another way) if you do this, you
will receive something in return.
= useful as long as the reward is perceived as having value. Giving away a gold-
star or a gift card may be nice if it is something that is rare, but if over-used
the effect may be weakened

Legitimate Power

=the power of position or role, this is the typical “command and control”
structure that is employed by the Military world.
= a formalized way of ensuring that there is someone to make a decision (good
or bad) and that someone is responsible
=can seem arbitrary and when a person loses or changes positions or roles
within a company, this type of power does not move with them

Referent Power

= the “cult of personality”, the power and ability for an individual to attract
others and to build loyalty within them.
= the power of respect which can occur through time if a leader is successful
and has a well-known track-record of success.
= created through the values of the individual and some folks are born with “It”
Informational Power

= is the newest addition to the types of power by French and Raven.

= the top 3 most effective types of power.

=the power of having information that another does not have, or, the
distribution of information as a means of effecting change.

=This could be positive or negative propaganda, knowledge of an opponents

strategy, or detailed information that is used in decision support

= possible use of information from persuading “by the numbers” or making up

a “statistic” to manipulate opinions. (Some say that statistics are a precise and
logical method for stating a half truth, inaccurately).
= can be used to measure and improve tasks, processes, and strategies.

Expert Power

= when an individual possesses in-depth information, knowledge, or expertise

in the area that they are responsible for.

= often the most effective type of power.

=Examples: Software Architect, the lead engineer, the CFO, CTO, Doctor, or
other highly skilled and highly trained employee. Because the person has this
high level of expertise, they can often persuade others do to things for them
using trust and respect.
=Excellent leaders seek to use the most effective type of power at the correct
time.