There are five bases of power. These bases of power include coercive base; reward base; legitimate base; expert base; and referent base (MT 1). Coercive base, reward base and legitimate base are categorized under formal bases while expert base and referent base are categorized under personal bases. These five bases are appropriate for different scenarios.
The coercive base involves using force or blackmail to get your way. The coercive base can be used when the police force is trying to fight off terrorists who have taken over a building. The police can use force to defeat the terrorists.
The reward base involves the issuing of bonuses or rewards so as to control the productivity of the employees. The reward base is mostly used in organizations so as to make sure that the company is able to achieve its goals. Employees are attracted by the bonuses and will work hard so as to get these rewards.
The legitimate base involves positional power or rights. A good example is when a person dies intestate and leaves a large fortune. The children of the deceased have the right to own the fortune left by their father.
The expert base involves the skills that a person possesses. Each person has some skills or talents that can be of great use in specific areas. A counselor has counseling skills that are important in helping people who are facing psychological problems. A counselor has the power to influence these people to reach within themselves and solve their problems.
A referent base involves trust or liking a person. A good example is when a wife trusts her husband with all their financial issues. The husband gets the power to control any family issue that requires finance. Trust can give a person a lot of power.
Works Cited
MT. French and Raven’s Five Forms of Power. 2016. Web. 29 Apr. 2016. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_56.htm
