Episode Details

Dave Stachowiak: Eight Types of Power

A brief word from Power vs. Force* by David Hawkins

In 1959, French & Raven identified several types of power in their research:

1. Reward power

• Giving something of value

2. Expert power

• Knowledge, competence, and experience

3. Referent power

• Personality and charisma to influence others

4. Legitimate

• We have the legitimate right to command given our position in the organization

In 1975, Raven & Kruglanski added to the list…

5. Connection power

• Access to powerful people and organizations

6. Information power

• Access to information that other parties don’t have

In 1989, Liberatore et al. added…

7. Group decision-making power

• The decisions an entire organization gets behind

Finally, in 1991, Yukl & Falbe identified…

8. Persuasive power

• The ability to influence through logic and dialogue

A brief word about force

• Coercive “power” is also cited in the research
• This is the force against will – to threaten punishment and deliver penalty
• Effective leaders have two directives when considering force:
  • 1. Use it only as a last resort
  • 2. To be certain, at least beyond a reasonable doubt, that it’s justified

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