Strength plays a rather important role in achieving the goals that individuals set for themselves and is an integral component of leadership qualities. Thus, developed by social psychologists John French and Bertram Raven, the five Foundations of Power provide an understanding of how individuals can influence people to realize leadership qualities. Within the framework of this report, examples of successful personalities will be given, each of which has a specific power allocated by scientists, and to provide which of them is the most successful in this activity.
The first kind of force that John French and Bertram Raven highlighted is the referent. According to the study, it “is based on respect and admiration an individual earned from others over time” (Kovach, 2020, p. 4). This type refers to informal power and is based on gaining people’s respect by showing qualities such as charisma, kindness, energy, and intelligence. A striking example of this kind of leader is Oprah Winfrey, who has built her personality for many years and has found a broad love of people. Even though she is not a politician or an expert in some areas, people listen to her opinion and follow her example and advice.
Expert strength also refers to the informal manifestation of strength on the part of individuals. It is based on the individual’s specific knowledge and expertise regarding a particular area of knowledge. Consequently, strength is gained due to a high level of intelligence and understanding of the subject or field of activity. An example of this kind of force is the theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who at one time made a valuable contribution to the development of cosmological theory. Many people are followers of his thought and use his works as the basis of knowledge in this field.
Legitimate power is a formal manifestation of leadership and represents a legitimate right to manage people. Kovach (2020) pointed out that there are “three different bases for it, which include culture, acceptance of social structure, and design by a legitimizing agent” (James et al., 2022, p. 5). An example of this kind of force may be the President of the United States, who is given power by law, governs the country by citizens and has the authority for the imposition of sanctions, and has certain powers.
Another type is reward power, which is based on providing benefits and rewards to individuals for completing tasks set by the leader. Moreover, it includes showing respect for other people. An example of this power is Steve Jobs, who was “a master at both leading by example and empowering and inspiring his staff to complete tasks on their own” (Kassim, 2020, para. 33). Coercive power consists of using penalization as a way to manage people. An example of this kind of control can be a football coach who can punish players for being late or not following the rules.
It is worth noting that each type of force highlighted by French and Raven has its advantages and disadvantages. Based on the information studied, the referent leader seems the most successful. An example was given by Oprah Winfrey, who has a significant influence on people due to her character and personal qualities. Research showed that “she built her business by recruiting top talents, smart mentors, and giving the highest value to her customers and proved that no barriers can obstruct the person who is determined to be successful” (Sattar, N.D., p. 6). This shows that she is a bright instance of this type of force.
In conclusion, the types of power identified by John French and Bertram Raven present a unique perspective on how people gain leadership positions. This report presents a study of each type of force and gives examples of personalities who adhere to each. Based on this information, it was concluded that referent power is among the most effective in gaining leadership positions. The main takeaway is the importance of choosing tools, such as strength, to achieve goals and gain influence.
References
James, S., Mwembezi, G., & Chusi, T. (2022). The effect of five French and Raven’s managerial power bases on employee job satisfaction: A review and implications for managers in Tanzania. EPRA International Journal of Research and Development (IJRD), 7(5), 176-183. Web.
Kovach, M. (2020). Leader influence: A research review of French & Raven’s (1959) power dynamics. The Journal of Values-Based Leadership, 13(2), 15. Web.
Sattar, S. B. (n.d.). Leadership qualities – Styles, traits and skills of Oprah Winfrey. The strategy watch. Web.
Kassim, N. (2020). Steve Jobs’s revolutionary leadership style and what we can learn from it. Idea drop. Web.