Types of power

Gallup's study found that managers exert more influence on employee well-being than those working. Look here to learn about it.

This is why 76% of employees quit their jobs at one point or another. As a leader, you need to be able to make the most of your power. You will encourage employee disengagement, make your team less productive, and increase the likelihood of them quitting. This will also lead to employee disengagement and burnout.

You must be a more efficient leader by understanding the five types power and how each one works. Also, understand when to use them.

Let's look at different types of power.

1. Legitimate power

This is a form of formal power you get when you hold a position in your company.

It can give you authority in the company, depending on your position. It lasts for as long as the position is still held.

Subordinates recognize this type of power. This is why it works well within hierarchical organizations like the military.

You can only obtain legitimate power by proving that you possess the skills necessary for the job. This type of power can be taken away as well, since it is not a given. Legitimate power is not enough to make leaders effective. They use it with others.

2. Reward power

Rewards power is the ability to offer benefits or rewards in return for completing a task or achieving results.

Most rewards come in the form benefits, raises, promotions or public praise. This type of power may not be as powerful as leaders believe.

It should be meaningful and concrete enough to motivate employees. It should be something you can do and not depend on others.

While this type of power can help you achieve your goals, it does not guarantee the support and commitment of your employees.

3. Expert power

Expert Power is a combination of deep technical knowledge and extensive expertise in your area.

People in your company will naturally seek out you as an expert in their field to gain knowledge. You are respected and trusted by people because of your expertise.

Expert power is the ability to influence colleagues at all levels of an organization. This allows you to direct the development and growth of your colleagues as well as the company.

True experts know that they need to keep learning and improving their skills in order to remain credible.

4. Referent power

Nicole Lipkin, author " What Keeps Leading People Up At Night", says this is the kind of power that can give a leader the greatest influence.

Leaders can increase referent strength by instilling trust and respect among their colleagues. Honesty and integrity are two of these qualities.

Referent power is a person with excellent interpersonal skills who exudes confidence. They are natural leaders because of this. They listen to and support their colleagues.

This power is internal and not external. This is an individual power that you cannot give to someone else. Your ability to influence others will increase as your referent power increases.

5. Coercive power

Although coercive power is a common tool in many workplaces it is also one of the least effective.

Lipkin actually advises leaders not to use coercive power.

This involves using threats to make people do what you want. Although they might not agree with the actions they are required to take, they do so out of fear of losing their jobs.

Many leaders expect constant innovation from their employees. People who fail to measure up risk being replaced by someone better.

While coercive power may be effective in the short-term it can cause disengagement and unhappy employees. It is best to avoid it. It can also negatively impact employee retention efforts.