Leadership Powers and Influences

Power is the ability of a leader to influence its subordinates.

Influence is the effect of leaders actions on what the subordinates will do, how they act and behaviour.

Both of these can help a leader lead his staff. Employees look up to leaders in a number of ways, seven of these are below:

Position Power (Their status)

Legitimate Power (authority of position)

Reward Power (Power of rewards leaders can give subordinates)

Coercive Power (Power to punish a subordinate)

Personal Power (Characteristics or knowledge of the organisation)

Expert Power (Power from knowledge and skills for the tasks)

Referent Power (Leaders personal characteristics)