I have historically spoken about the types of power people can have over others, and I’m sure I have not always gotten the types correct. I recently found this article from Psychology Today which lists the types of power as:
- Legitimate: when people perceive that your rank in a formal hierarchy—e.g., manager, CEO, or president—gives you the right to “prescribe” their behavior
- Reward: when people perceive your ability to distribute rewards for completed tasks or met goals
- Coercive: when people perceive your ability to distribute punishments and disincentives (the opposite of reward power)
- Expert: when people perceive your special knowledge or expertise, which causes them to defer to your expertise
- Referent: when people feel “oneness” with you or a desire to be like you, leading to their respect and admiration of you
But then asking ChatGPT I was given even more power types:
- Coercive Power: This type of power relies on the ability to punish or threaten others. It’s often associated with fear and intimidation. For example, a manager may have coercive power by threatening to fire employees who don’t meet expectations.
- Reward Power: Reward power comes from the ability to provide benefits or rewards to others. It can motivate people to comply with requests or directives. For instance, a teacher may have reward power by offering extra credit for students who perform well.
- Legitimate Power: Legitimate power is based on a person’s position or authority within a social structure or organization. It’s the power that comes with a title or role, such as a president, CEO, or police officer.
- Referent Power: Referent power stems from admiration, respect, or identification with a person. It’s based on charisma, likability, or perceived similarity to others. Celebrities and influential leaders often possess referent power.
- Expert Power: Expert power comes from knowledge, skills, or expertise in a particular area. People are influenced by those who have specialized knowledge or experience. For example, a doctor has expert power in the field of medicine.
- Informational Power: Informational power is derived from controlling or possessing valuable information. In today’s information age, individuals or organizations with access to important data can wield significant influence.
- Connection Power: Connection power is derived from one’s social network and connections. Being well-connected can provide opportunities, resources, and support, thereby influencing others.
- Charismatic Power: Charismatic power is based on the charm, charisma, and personality of an individual. Charismatic leaders can inspire and motivate others through their compelling presence and vision.
- Resource Power: Resource power comes from controlling or having access to valuable resources such as money, property, or technology. Individuals or organizations with significant resources can exert influence over others.
- Network Power: Network power arises from one’s position within a network or community. Those who hold central positions or have strong connections within a network can influence decisions and outcomes.
Before looking at this list I thought things were more obvious, but having all of these options makes things more vague and complex.
I guess it really doesn’t matter the name or the type of power I hold over others, I just hope it comes from the respect that I have for others and that they have for me.