MODULE #6: Types of Power for Leaders

Objectives
 Participants will recognize different types of power that leaders may have.
 Participants will learn techniques for building expert power among leaders.
 Participants will identify the techniques to build leadership skills.

Context

In examining a number of historical events, the different types of powers for leaders are salient. In many
cases, excessive use of power has led to the most devastating tragedies committed by human kind.

Handouts & Resources Needed:

 Handout 6.1A: Examples for Leadership Power
 Handout 6.1B: Description and Examples for Leadership Power
 Handout 6.2: Techniques of Building Expert Power
 Sheet of paper – one for each participant
 Pen/pencils
 Journals – one per student
 Flit chart paper

Activity #1: Recognizing Types of Power Activity (30 min)

Procedure:
 Icebreaker
 Ask students to work in pairs to think about and write down at least five different types of power that leaders may
have.
 Provide and review Handout 6.1A: Examples for Leadership Power.
 Ask students to work in pairs to identify at least one example for each type of power for leaders.
  Ask them to think about what kind of leader may have this type of power and who may have this type of power
when he/she is in a leadership position.
 Provide and review Handout 6.1B: Description and Examples for Leadership Power.
 Ask students to compare their own examples with the examples provided.
 Debriefing

Activity #2: Recognizing Techniques to Build Expert Power Activity (30 min)

Procedure
 Icebreaker
 Ask each student to think about and list at least five techniques to build and keep expert power.
 Ask students to share and check their list with a partner.
 Provide and review Handout 6.2: Techniques of Building Expert Power.
 Ask students to list the techniques to build each type of commonly recognized leadership traits in the
corresponding cells (Handout 6.2A). Encourage students to discuss if they agree with the list and why.
 Debriefing
 Handout 6.1A: Examples for Leadership Power
Directions: Read the descriptions for each type of power that leaders may have, and then give at least one example for each type of
power for leaders.

Type of Power Description Example

From Leader Aspect From Follower Aspect1
Reward power Reward power is power that a The target person complies in order
person has because he or she has to obtain rewards he or she
control of the resources. believes are controlled by the
agent.

Coercive power Coercive power is power that a The target person complies in order
person has because he or she has to avoid punishments he or she
control of the punishments or believes are controlled by the
demotions. agent.

Legitimate power This is power based on the position The target person complies
or title that one person may have. because he or she believes the
agent has the right to make the
request and the target person has
the obligation to comply.
Expert power This is power based on some The target person complies
knowledge that a person may have because he or she believes that the
that others may not. agent has special knowledge about
the best way to do something.
Referent power This is power based solely on The target person complies
attractive characteristics that a because he or she admires or
person may have. identifies with the agent and wants
to gain the agent’s approval.

1
Adapted from:
J. French & B.H. Raven, Studies of Social Power, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor, MI (1959). Available online Jan. 20, 2006 at:
http://www.apmp.org/pdf/fall99/54leadership.pdf
 Handout 6.1B: Description and Examples for Leadership Power

Type of Power Description Example

From Leader Aspect From Follower Aspect
Reward power Reward power is power that a person The target person complies in order An example of this type of power may be a
has because he or she has control of to obtain rewards he or she believes boss who has the ability to give raises to
the resources. are controlled by the agent. those he chooses for any reason he
chooses. In many cases these rewards are
given to those who perform at a superior
level, and may go above and beyond what
is expected of them.
Coercive power Coercive power is power that a The target person complies in order An example of this type of power may be a
person has because he or she has to avoid punishments he or she boss who can fire or demote someone. This
control of the punishments or believes are controlled by the agent. power is normally expressed when
demotions. someone is not working at a level that is
consistent with everyone else.
Legitimate power This is power based on the position The target person complies because Your principal has this type of power over
or title that one person may have. he or she believes the agent has the you. You have to listen to him/her because
right to make the request and the he is the principal. In turn, the head f the
target person has the obligation to school board has power over the principal
comply. because he is in charge of he decisions in
the schools in the community.
Expert power This is power based on some The target person complies because A PhD who is asked to speak on a panel
knowledge that a person may have he or she believes that the agent about a topic has expert power because he
that others may not. has special knowledge about the knows more about a specific topic than
best way to do something. most others. Also someone who may be an
“expert witness” at a trial has this type of
power because he or she may be able to
give knowledge about the events at hand.
Referent power This is power based solely on The target person complies because This type of power may be expressed
attractive characteristics that a he or she admires or identifies with because you like someone or think they are
person may have. the agent and wants to gain the funny or good-looking. They have the ability
agent’s approval. to entice you into things because you are
willing to respect them because of the fact
that you are attracted to some quality they
may have.
Handout 6.2
Techniques of Building Expert Power2
Expert power is essential because as a leader, your team looks to
you for direction and guidance. Team members need to believe in
your ability to set a worthwhile direction, give sound guidance and co-
ordinate a good result. Taken together, if your team sees you as an
expert, you will find it much easier to motivate team members to
perform at their best. So how do you build expert power?

 Gain expertise: The first step is fairly obvious – gain expertise.

Effective leaders gather two main types of information: 1)
Background Information, and 2) Task-Related Information to
identify problems to solve and techniques to use. They use the
information to build their view of the world in which they operate
and gain expertise for the techniques they have to perform.

 Promote an image of expertise: Since perceived expertise in

many occupations is associated with a person’s education and
experience, a leader should (subtly) make sure that
subordinates, peers, and superiors are aware of his or her
formal education, relevant work experience, and significant
accomplishments. One common tactic to make this information
known is to display diplomas, licenses, awards, and other
evidence of expertise in a prominent location. Another tactic is
to make subtle references to prior education or experience
(e.g., “When I was chief engineer at GE, we had a problem
similar to this one”).

 Maintain credibility: Once established, one’s image of

expertise should be carefully protected. The leader should
avoid making careless comments about subjects on which he
or she is poorly informed, and should avoid being associated
with projects with a low likelihood of success.

 Act confidently and decisively in a crisis: In a crisis or

emergency, subordinates prefer a “take charge” leader who

2
Adapted from:
Mind Tools. Winning Expert Power – Lead From the Front. Available online Jan. 20, 2006 at:
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_04.htm
 appears to know how to direct the group in coping with the
problem. In this kind of situation, subordinates tend to associate
confident, firm leadership with expert knowledge. Even if the
leader is not sure of the best way to deal with a crisis, to
express doubts or appear confused risks the loss of influence
over subordinates.

 Keep informed: Expert power is exercised through rational

persuasion and demonstration of expertise. Rational
persuasion depends on a firm grasp of up-to-date facts. It is
therefore essential for a leader to keep well-informed of
developments within the team, within the organization, and in
the outside world.

 Recognize peer concerns: Use of rational persuasion should

not be seen as a form of one-way communication from the
leader to subordinates. Effective leaders listen carefully to the
concerns and uncertainties of their team members, and make
sure that they address these in making a persuasive appeal.

 Avoid threatening the self-esteem of peers: Expert power is

based on a knowledge differential between leader and team
members. Unfortunately, the very existence of such a
differential can cause problems if the leader is not careful about
the way he exercises expert power. Team members can dislike
unfavorable status comparisons where the gap is very large
and obvious. They are likely to be upset by a leader who acts in
a superior way, and arrogantly flaunts his greater expertise.
 Handout 6.2A

Techniques for Leadership Traits

Directions: List the techniques to build each type of commonly recognized the leadership
trait in the corresponding cells.

Leadership Trait Techniques to Build the Trait

Primary Leadership Characteristics

Management Knowledge

Energy Level

Dominance

Decision Making

Social Skills

Stability

Goodwill

Expertise

Compromise
 Mental Maturity

Secondary Leadership Characteristics

Delegation

Reflectiveness

Communication

Authority

Reward

Discipline

Competing

Collaboration

Avoidance

Accommodation