5 Bases of Power

Coercive Power: (Formal) Authority or power that is dependent on fear, suppression of free will, and/or use of punishment or threat, for its existence.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/coercive-power.html#ixzz2flJeu93Z

Reward Power: (Formal) The extent to which an entity can control the dispensing of rewards or benefits.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/reward-power.html#ixzz2flJvDWP0

Legitimate Power: (Formal) Power derived from a job, position, or status and held as belonging to the person in such a position.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/legitimate-power.html#ixzz2flK5Wf8Z

Expert Power: (Personal) Ability to influence other parties based on expertise and knowledge. Expert power in an organization is the ability to influence the behavior of others in the organization based solely on past experience and expertise in a specific area.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/expert-power.html#ixzz2flKUBhbr

Referent Power: (Personal) Influence over others, acquired from being well liked or respected by them.

Read more: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/referent-power.html#ixzz2flKdEyiO

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-sources-power-organizations-14467.html

http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2011/08/26/the-5-types-of-power-in-leadership/

http://www.sys.virginia.edu/sieds07/papers/SIEDS07_0004_FI.pdf

Power is defined as the possession of authority and influence over others.

It differs from people to people.

Power is something that can be used to create a positive or a negative affect.

There are five bases of power within an organization:

• Coercive Power

• Reward Power

• Legitimate Power

• Expert Power

• Referent Power