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Five Bases of Power

In: Computers and Technology

Submitted By eker119
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Five Bases of Power
Student Name
LET1 (Task 3) WGU
August 25, 2013
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Abstract
Power can be defined in many ways from various people. Some people may think power means success, some people may think power means corruption, and unfortunately some people may think power means nothing. Basically power pertains to the possession of influence and authority over others. The five bases of power are coercive, referent, legitimate, expert, and reward power (Abudi, 2011). To understand these five bases of power better in an organization a description with examples for each will be discussed.

Five Bases of Power In 1960 John French and Bertram Raven conducted a study in leadership roles on bases of power Coercive, referent, legitimate, expert, and reward power were identified as the five bases of power. Through one or more of these bases, power can be manifested. Most interactions in an organization are established with trust and are constructed through some form of power. Depending on how power is used can result in negative or positive outcomes in an organization. The proper use of power among managers and employees can result in excellent social and interpersonal relationships (Abudi, 2011).

In the given scenario, Corporation A is a business that creates marketing programs for the real estate industry. The employees with different job roles that work at Corporation A are demonstrating the five bases of power in different situations. A description of each power with examples from the actions from these employees will be discussed. Formal power and personal power are two categories that divide the five bases of power into two groups. Coercive, reward, and legitimate power are listed under formal power and expert and referent power are listed under personal

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