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The word ‘power in leadership‘ may seem like such a simple term. However, this minimalistic word has dominated people’s minds and destroyed homes. This world built and broke down the entire empire. It may turn the nicest, most innocent person into a power-hungry fiend. It latches onto a person, slowly infecting your thoughts until it’s the only thing you are capable of thinking of.
On the wrong hand power could end the world, and in the hands of the right person; it could revive it. Power needs to be handled carefully. And always kept at arm’s length. Because it’s the type of companion that can switch from being your friend into your mortal enemy in a matter of minutes. Therefore, as a leader, you need to understand how to deal with power. How to obtain it, and how to use it in a way that will benefit you and humanity.
Types of Power in leadership
Several types of leadership have been discovered over the years—each with its benefits and disadvantages. To be a successful leader, you need to understand how to bend every type of these powers to your will. And learn how to control them so they won’t end up controlling you. Power, when used properly, could change lives. Listed down below are some of the most popular types of leadership. That you need to know about if you are planning to become a leader. If you already are one that’s hoping to improve yourself.
Connection power in leadership:
This type of power is very beneficial if you are planning to branch out your business. Or if your business revolves around socializing with people. To gain connection power, you need interpersonal skills, charisma, confidence, and networking skills. This type of power is when you reach out to people because of certain connections you have to get something. The bad thing about this type of power is that it could easily turn into a toxic type of power. If you aren’t ware because you slowly start to lose sight of your morals, you will start to use people to get the things. You want to be careful with how you choose to use your connection power.
Coercive power:
This type of power is one that isn’t recommended at all. This is the type of power that you shouldn’t strive to gain but instead try to avoid. This type of power revolves around threats and punishments. If a person uses coercive power, they are practically forcing someone’s hand and making them do something. Even if they want to or not, and if they don’t oblige, they will have to face serious consequences.
This type of power isn’t recommended because it doesn’t gain people’s respect for you. And all it does is create deep hate in people’s hearts towards you. Yes, sure you may get what you want to know but wait till something goes wrong in your life; You will look around and find that no one is there for you as you pushed them all away by disrespecting them. Leadership based on this type of power will create a very toxic and tense working atmosphere.
Expert power in leadership:
This type of power is used by people with a lot of knowledge or wisdom, and it’s used around people that aren’t as experienced as the person using this power. This power is used to show superiority over others. A lot of bosses use this type of leadership to seem better than their employees. This type of power could be bad because if used harshly, it could hurt a lot of people and belittle their strengths.
Charismatic power in leadership:
This type of power is very innocent, and many people use it without even noticing it. You can gain this type of power by exuding confidence and charm. It would help if you acted in a manner that makes you very approachable to people. People with this power easily grasp the attention of a room the minute they start talking; they have this magnetic pull that makes people like them and unconsciously support their ideas and help them out with whatever they want.
Moral power
This type of power relies on ethical leadership, and it’s when someone uses their morals and beliefs to convince people to follow their lead.
Reward power in Leadership:
These two words may or may not be foreign to you; however, I can assure you that this type of power has been used on you or that you have used this type of power at least once in your life. Reward power was probably used on you by your parents. For example, when they used to tell you phrases like ‘wash the dishes and you’ll get to watch TV.’ Or ‘finish your homework and another slice of cake.’
This type of power is used very frequently in the office, and it could be very beneficial to increase the motivation and enthusiasm of your team members. However, this type of power could create unhealthy competition between your employees, which will, in return, turn your workplace into a place filled with tension and conflicts.
“To create power is like a magnet; this is true because this creative power operates like a magnet. Give it a strong, clear picture of what you want, and this creative power starts to work magnetizing conditions about you — attracting to your things, resources, opportunities, circumstances, and even the people you need, to help bring to pass in your outer life what you have pictured.”
-Claude M. Bristol (1891-1951)