Dave Stachowiak: Eight Types of Power

A brief word from Power vs. Force* by David Hawkins

In 1959, French & Raven identified several types of power in their research:

1. Reward power

Giving something of value

2. Expert power

Knowledge, competence, and experience

3. Referent power

Personality and charisma to influence others

4. Legitimate

We have the legitimate right to command given our position in the organization

In 1975, Raven & Kruglanski added to the list...

5. Connection power

Access to powerful people and organizations

6. Information power

Access to information that other parties don’t have

In 1989, Liberatore et al. added...

7. Group decision-making power

The decisions an entire organization gets behind

Finally, in 1991, Yukl & Falbe identified...

8. Persuasive power

The ability to influence through logic and dialogue

A brief word about force

Coercive “power” is also cited in the research

This is the force against will - to threaten punishment and deliver penalty

Effective leaders have two directives when considering force:

1. Use it only as a last result

2. To be certain, at least beyond a reasonable doubt, that it’s justified

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