Answer:

1. Legitimate

Legitimate power is the power someone holds as the result of a hierarchy in an organization. They can influence employees because their position dictates it. This is similar to military rankings. All lower-ranking members must abide by the direction of their commanding officer and other high-ranking officials. This structure helps to organize large businesses and ensure everyone is following the same goals.

You gain legitimate power in an organization by showing you have what it takes to be a supervisor, executive or partner. Working as a supervisor lets potential employers know you can handle the responsibility. Use legitimate power together with other types of power to be a successful leader.

2. Referent

Referent power is the power that role models hold. It occurs when a leader has strong interpersonal skills and others follow them because of a deep admiration. For example, an employee tries to solve a conflict and refers to what his mentor would do and follows that model to resolve the issue.

This power is not one leader can bestow on themselves. The admiring party gives the leader the designation of role model.

Develop your interpersonal skills by taking an interest in others. Listen when they speak and respond appropriately. Well-liked people inspire loyalty and a willingness to work together on common goals.

3. Expert

Expert power exists in an organization when one member possesses a set of skills others don't have. This leads others to defer to the expert. Employees typically assume managers or executives possess some skill or knowledge the others don't. Anyone in the organization can hold expertise power.

To use expert power in your career, pursue expertise in your field. When you demonstrate a high level of competence, people may begin to defer to you or follow your advice because of your experience.

4. Reward

Gifts can give someone a strong influence on the behavior of others. Reward power exists when a manager has the power to offer incentives to employees who perform well. For example, offering a raise to employees with the highest sales numbers signifies reward power.

As a workplace leader, reward power works best when the reward is something relevant to the employees. Having something they desire can encourage boosts in productivity. The incentives must also be attainable to keep morale high.

5. Coercive

Coercive power is the power someone holds through threat or force. In an organization, a higher-ranking manager can force a lower-ranking employee to act in a way they don't want to with a threat of termination or other disciplinary action. This type of power can be used in cases of insubordinate employees but when relied upon as a common tool, it can breed resentment.