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Types
of Leadership Power
One
aspect that is often overlooked in the development of business leaders
is the effective use of power. Self-aware
leaders are attuned to how they exercise power and the effect that it
has on their direct reports.
When
working with leaders I often ask them to discuss the difference between
authority, power, and leadership. Leaders
should then assess their own power preferences and strategies by
analyzing the seven types of power listed below:
1. Coercive
Power – Power based on the threat of punishment.
2. Competence
Power – Power comes from having a high level of expertise,
experience, and/or credentials
3. Reward
Power –Power that comes with the promise of rewards: pay,
recognition, promotion, perks, celebration, time, etc.
4. Institutional
Power—This is power that comes from a leader’s position in
the organization.
5. Interpersonal
Power—This is power that comes from positive personal
connections. A request or
directive is honored because of positive feelings toward the leader.
6. Reason
Power—This power comes from the belief that a leader is being
reasonable and is asking his/her reports to do what is right and
beneficial.
Discussion
Questions:
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As
a leader, do you have power preferences?
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Do
different circumstances require or demand certain types of power
usages?
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When
can one type of power be overused?
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What
are some examples of power mismatches; where the power choice was
the wrong use of power for the situation or the person?
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What
are some common misuses of power in business organizations?
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