Leadership and Power

Leadership is About Power and Control

What is another way to define leadership?

Leadership, by its very nature, is about power and control. Understanding the dynamics of that power, however, is critical for leader success. Decades ago, psychologists John French and Bert Raven23 suggested that there were five important power bases that can be used in the workplace or elsewhere to influence others. These power bases are reward, coercive, legitimate, expert, and referent power, and we will discuss each separately.

Although designed to better understand the power of leaders, knowing how to use these power bases, at work or in everyday life, can help you be more influential and successful. Let’s examine these critical power bases and how to use and develop them.

For Development: Think about the ways that you have seen leaders use power and control? How did they do it? How have you wielded power when in a position of leadership or authority?