Let1 Task 317.1.510,11

706 Words3 Pages
The five basis of power are coercive power, reward power, legitimate power, referent power, and expert power. Coercive power is power used to compel someone to do something that they do not want to do, usually through retaliatory measures such as demotion or firing an employee. However, coercive power can also be used in a less negative way at times. This type of power tends to cause friction in the work force. Reward power is power used to give employees things they want or take away things they do not want such as giving a raise or promotion. This type of power is effective, but can lose its effectiveness as time goes by. After a while the reward may not carry the same weight anymore. Legitimate power is power used when the collective group believes the person in charge has the right to give the orders. Legitimate power is effective because employees will generally take orders from the management without question. The downside to this power is that employees might not feel a sense of teamwork or loyalty to the orders given. Referent power is power used to inspire employees based on respect. Employees will try to imitate their manager’s mannerisms and examples. When put in situations that there are no direct orders given, an employee will try to behave the way the manger that they respect would. The downside to this type of power is that it takes time to build the respect and trust between employee and manager, and across different cultures this type of power may not translate. Expert power is power used to direct someone based on the knowledge the superior possesses. During tax time, employees (or even managers) will default to following orders from the accountant because the accountant will have greater knowledge about the financial matters. This type of power generally works well until the expert shares their knowledge, thus making the subordinate

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