Types of Power Working in Our Societies - Essay Example

Power has the capability of helping otherwise weak and cowardly people to subjugate and ruthlessly rule others. It is without compromise that power has seen some individuals reign and rule over multitudes while exercising full authority over many intelligent brains. Surprisingly, every individual possesses some form of power. People shouldn't assume and consider themselves powerless. It is also noteworthy that power and leadership are closely related and that any form of leadership requires particular individuals to possess some aspects of power. Possession of power in the hands of a few individuals has seen the running of organizations and institutions all over the world.

The fact that every person despite his/her social class, educational achievement, and rank in society exhibits one or more forms of power is sufficient to confirm that there are various and different types of power. One mostly exercised forms of power are coercive power. Abudi (2011) explains that coercive power refers to the power held by some individuals in the top leadership ranks, who rule over others and have the right to punish and dismiss their subordinates. Abudi (2011) explains that coercive power makes the ruled population fall into repeated fear when confronted by the leader or ruler. Such fears are normally automatic as the subjects remain aware of the powers held by the ruler with the capability to decide anything on the subject. Coercive power make subjects do and perform duties not meant for them provided that the request or command has been made by the ruler.

As observed by Lauby (2010), another form of power is connection power which is based on who and how many people one knows. In most cases, this form of power requires an elaborate and reliable network with other influential people holding critical positions in a given organization or institution. Individuals enjoying connection power have the capability of manipulating their relationships with seniors to achieve their desires and wants. The reward is another recognized type of power in the workplace (Abudi, 2011). Gaining reward power requires a leader or ruler to give rewards to subjects who tend to comply with certain goals and set standards. Rewards may be given in the form of bonuses, promotions, off from work, and income increments among others.

Referent power is power in force in many contemporary societies and organizations. As viewed by Lauby (2010), for individuals who exercise referent power have to enjoy immense trust and respect from their subjects in the given institution or organization. For one to gain respect and trust, they have to exhibit unique ways and techniques of handling situations and solving problems to the satisfaction of their subjects. For example, human resource personnel who fights and defends the rights of fellow workers will enjoy referent power from the served subjects.

Long experience in doing particular work to ensure high accuracy and desirable output, can create expertise power. Possession of elaborate skills and notable experience in a certain field coupled with in-depth knowledge provides the master with expertise power (Lauby, 2010). Individuals with expertise and power can innovate and improvise ideas and concepts to an extent of utilizing less experienced people to help in the achievement of particular goals. Another form of power is legitimate or positional power. This type of power bestows upon individuals’ position, job title, responsibilities, or rank in a given organization.

The most effective type of power is referent power bearing in mind the process and what it takes an individual to earn it. This form of power is very genuine and accords with the track record of the holder. In addition, the fact that this type of power is hard to impose on one’s self but reflects an individual’s conduct makes it a more responsible form of power.
I have the referent power, which I use in harmonizing people and promoting peaceful coexistence as well as conformity to law in the society and place of work. Having gained a clear understanding of the various types of power in work in our societies, I will work to examine every individual to identify the various types of power exhibited and ensure fair recognition and balance of all the powers. Read More