The types of power effective leaders use

Leaders need to have power in order to be effective in their roles and move forward with their plans and projects. Power is the ability to act or influence others and is an essential ingredient of effective leadership. There are different types of power and leaders use them in a number of ways to achieve their goals. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of power effective leaders use and how they can be utilized to achieve success.

What is Power?   

Power is the ability to act or influence others. Leaders use power to motivate employees, direct resources, and make decisions. In many organizations, power is distributed unequally, with those in positions of authority having more access to resources and decision-making power. Power can be positional, or it can be something you develop over time through experience, expertise, and reputation.

Types of Power  

Effective leaders utilize several types of power to create successful outcomes in their organizations. Here are the types of power effective leaders use:

1. Legitimate Power:
   Legitimate power is derived from a leader’s position. For example, a CEO would naturally have more legitimate power than an entry-level employee. As it is based on a leader’s official title, this type of power is often assumed and rarely challenged.

2. Reward Power:
   Reward power is based on the idea of giving rewards in order to motivate and incentivize employees. Rewards can vary, but they often come in the form of recognition, promotions, pay raises, and bonuses. Effective leaders understand the power of positive reinforcement and regularly use reward power to motivate their employees and get better results.

3. Coercive Power:
   Coercive power is the opposite of reward power. It involves the use of punishments in order to force compliance or obedience. This type of power can be effective in the short term, but it is not sustainable in the long run and can be damaging to the organization’s morale and productivity.

4. Referent Power:
   Referent power is based on the respect and admiration a leader has earned from their subordinates. This type of power is built over time and is based on the leader’s qualifications, experience, skills, and reputation. Employees are more likely to follow a leader if they can trust and respect them.

5. Expert Power:
   Expert power is derived from having a high level of expertise and knowledge in a particular field. It can be a powerful tool, as people are more likely to follow a leader if they are seen as the “expert” on the subject matter. This type of power can also be used to make others feel inferior, so it should be used with caution.

How to Use Power Effectively   

Now that we’ve explored the different types of power effective leaders use, let’s look at how they can use these powers to create successful outcomes:

1. Understand Your Power: Effective leaders understand their power and how it can be used to influence others. They know the limits of their power and are aware of how to use it without becoming authoritarian.

2. Avoid Power Struggles:
   Effective leaders understand the importance of avoiding power struggles and how it can lead to unhappy and unproductive employees. They focus on developing relationships and creating an environment of trust rather than using their power to dominate.

3. Develop Your Skills:
   Effective leaders are always honing their skills, learning new techniques, and developing their expertise. They understand how important it is to stay current and relevant in order to remain an effective leader.

4. Use All Types of Power:
   Effective leaders understand the importance of using all types of power in a balanced way. They use reward power to motivate their employees and referent power to earn respect. They also use legitimate and expert power judiciously and rarely resort to coercive power.

5. Avoid Abuse of Power:
   Effective leaders are aware of the potential for abuse and take steps to avoid it. They set guidelines and procedures to ensure that their power is not abused and all employees are treated with respect and fairness.

Power is an essential element of effective leadership. Leaders need to understand the different types of power available to them and how they can be utilized in order to create successful outcomes. Understanding the types of power effective leaders use and how they can be used to motivate, influence, and direct is an important part of becoming an effective leader.