Question

5. How do leaders influence others? What are their sources of power?

Answer 1

Leaders and people who have high influencing traits aren’t just people with power and position, it’s the use of five widely used sources of powers that helps them persuade, turn plans in actions, motivate and make impactful changes. These five sources of power are stated below:

1) Expertise: The most important of all sources of power is having the knowledge, evident based explanation, ability to put across ideas in a constructive and well comprehendible way. It’s a natural inclination within most of us, that we would believe an advertisement or piece of idea if it comes from someone who expertise in the field of the related topic. Eg: When a dentist states that a certain toothpaste works, we are more likely to believe them, than believe someone who is your neighbor or any other acquaintance.

2) Reward: We as humans are always looking for approval and need for recognition for our work, and reward from the highest or related authority gives us a sense of great accomplishment. Influencers and highly regarded leaders usually make very intelligent use of reward in order to promote a certain attitude or behavior that will aid the company, larger motto and positive results for everyone. Rewards act not only as a way to respect or appraise someone’s effort but also promotes a persons’ sense of belonging, their respect towards the organization or leader and also strengthens their loyalty towards the cause or company.

3) Coercion: It’s the opposite of rewarding. It is a vital power that helps keep things under control. However this needs a very intelligent method of administration and most successful leaders are pro at using it. The issue isn’t the usage of coercion or what may be called a punishment or negative consequences for an inappropriate behavior. When used in well balance of rewarding, this method works mostly to maintain the harmony and limited disapproved actions within groups or people.

4) Reference/Persuasion: This is another power that works wonder for leaders or influencers. These people have embedded the talent and art of making efforts to make people act or do something with just their small gestures like basic mannerism of thank you or please, small efforts like consideration when hectic work schedules are wrecking, major life events with people’s life, etc. They lead a life which inspires people and that quality of reference where we want to be like that person we idolize or need approval from helps to produce best results.

5) Rank/ Status: This source of power is by the most evident virtue of holding a certain position, rank or authority level. For eg: principal, police superintendent, managers, team leaders, teachers, etc. all these individuals position lead to a certain way of acting to be debarred or face consequences for the same. However, usage of a status or rank requires a mastery of being and acting responsible; while considering the onus been put on the individual and coming true to the expectations of those roles. It is only then that in true sense the rank/status/ position will have an impact.