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POWER
Mention the word power and what comes to mind? Power is evil, corrupt, self-serving, manipulative and hurtful. These words speak to the dark side of power. There is, however, a positive face to addressing power acquisition, power-base development, and power use. Power is a positive force that is continually used to achieve organizational, group, and individual goals. When power is used in an ethical and purposeful way, there is nothing evil about it. More generally, one could define "power" as the more or less unilateral ability (real or perceived) or potential to bring about significant change, usually in people’s lives, through the actions of oneself or of others.

LEADERSHIP
Leadership is the exercise of power; and, therefore, leaders must develop appropriate organizational power bases to use effectively their power to influence others. Leaders and managers have a number of methods to influence what others do, particularly subordinates. The effectiveness of those methods is dependent upon how he/she utilizes sources of "power" given changing circumstances, roles and relationships.

Leadership vs. Power

Sl. No. Leadership Power
1. Focuses on goal achievement. Used as a means for achieving goals.
2. Requires goal compatibility with followers. Requires follower dependency.
3. Focuses influence downward. Used to gain lateral and upward influence.



Types of power:

1. Position Power is derived from where we sit in the organization (our role, title, "formal" authority). Methods of exercising the power available to us in this position include rewards, resources, sanctions, and discretion on policy.
2. Expert Power is based on our expertise, knowledge or information (which may be technical, managerial or organizational), and our ability to communicate and / or demonstrate our expertise.
3. Personal Power rests on personal...