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Power

What is Power?

power to influence Graphics courtesy of Harvard Business ReviewOpens in new window

Power is all about influencingOpens in new window others and in organizationsOpens in new window this means influencing followers to follow directions, accomplish specific tasks, and to be good or excellent followers. Two ways of defining power are:

  • Power is the discretion and the means to enforce will over others.
  • Power is the ability to marshal human, informational, and other resources to get something done.

The latter definition of power is all about influencing others. The more influence leaders have, the more powerful they are, and vice versa.

To have things done leaders need to influence others such as followersOpens in new window. This means that power is a very important tool in achieving organizational goals and objectives.

Power in itself is neither good nor bad. But it is precisely how it is used that determines whether it is functional or dysfunctional (harmful). When power is used in an ethical way for fair purposes, it is often viewed in a positive manner.

Effective leadership is not based on having power – it means much more. Leaders must recognize their power, must know how to use it effectively and how to leverage its positive versus negative effects.

By learning how power operates in organizations, a leader will be better able to use that knowledge to become a more effective leader. The reality is that power is an inevitable fact of organizational life and leaders are wise to understand and use it effectively and ethically. Consider the following quote:

  • Power must be used because leaders must influence those they depend on.
  • Power is also crucial in the development of leaders’ self-confidence and willingness to support direct reports. From this perspective, power should be accepted as a natural part of any organization. Leaders should recognize and develop their own power to coordinate and support the work of direct reports; it is powerlessness, not power, that undermines organizational effectiveness.

To really understand leadership, it is important to understand the concept of power and authority.

Authority is the right to perform or command; it comes with the job. In contrast, power is the extent to which a person is able to influence others so they respond to requests.

Leaders who pursue personalized power—power directed at helping oneself—as a way of enhancing their own selfish ends may give the word power a bad name. However, there is another kind of power, socialized power—power directed at helping others. This is the kind of power one hears in expressions such as “My goal is to have a powerful impact on my community.”

Within organizations there are typically five sources or bases of powerOpens in new window leaders may draw on. These bases of power are discussed hereOpens in new window.

See also:
  1. Lunenbourg, F. C. (2012). Power and leadership: An influence process. International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration, 15 (1), 1 – 9.
  2. Hughes, R. L., Ginnett, R. C., & Curphy, G. J. (1993). Power and influence. Leadership: Enhancing the lessons of experience. Homewood, II: Richard D. Irwin, ch. 5. pp. 107 – 131.
  3. Kreitner, R. (2008). Principles of management (11th ed.). New York, NY: Houghton Miffin Harcourt, p. 399.
  4. French, J. P. R., Jr., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. In D. Cartwright (Ed.), Studies in social power (pp. 150 – 167). Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
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