The Many Forms of Power: How Influence Really Works at Work
Discover the different types of power in the workplace, how dependence shapes influence, and how to build power ethically and effectively.
CAREER & WORKPLACE SKILLS
Lesson 16: The Many Forms of Power
We understand the world through stories — and many of them revolve around power.
From “With great power comes great responsibility” in Spider-Man to Animal Farm’s warning that power corrupts, power is often portrayed as dangerous or exclusive.
But power isn’t reserved for kings, CEOs, or dragons.
Everyone has power in some form — and when used wisely, it can be empowering rather than destructive.
Course Outline: Crash Course Business – Soft Skills
INTRODUCTION: Business Soft Skills – Course Overview
LESSON 1: Why You Need Trust to Do Business
LESSON 3: The Secret to Business Writing
LESSON 4: How to Speak With Confidence
LESSON 5: How to Make a Resume Stand Out
LESSON 6: How to Ace the Interview
LESSON 7: Prepare to Negotiate Your Salary
LESSON 8: How to Become a Better Negotiator
LESSON 9: How to Set and Achieve SMART Goals
LESSON 10: How to Make Time Management Work for You
LESSON 11: How to Make Better Decisions
LESSON 12: How to Work Effectively With a Team
LESSON 13: How to Handle Difficult Conversations
LESSON 15: Fairness in the Workplace
LESSON 16: The Many Forms of Power
LESSON 17: How to Avoid Burnout
What Is Power?
Power is the ability to influence people or events.
In business, power helps us:
Advocate for ourselves
Change unfair systems
Avoid being trapped in toxic jobs
Influence decisions and outcomes
Power is not a single trait. It comes from relationships, resources, and perception.
Power and Dependence
Power is closely tied to dependence.
If someone depends heavily on you — and you don’t depend as much on them — you hold more power.
Dependence is shaped by three key factors:
1. Criticality
How badly do you need the resource?
If your salary is your only safety net, your job has high criticality.
You can reduce criticality by:
Building savings
Developing an identity outside work
Increasing how much your employer needs you
2. Substitutability
Can you get this resource elsewhere?
If your role is easily replaced, your power is lower.
You can improve substitutability by:
Networking
Updating your resume
Developing rare or specialized skills
3. Centrality
How many people are affected if the resource disappears?
If your income supports others, its centrality is higher.
Reducing centrality might involve:
Saving 2–6 months of expenses
Securing another offer before quitting
Balancing criticality, substitutability, and centrality shifts the dependency teeter-totter in your favor.
Collective Power and Unions
Individuals often have limited power alone.
Groups, however, can dramatically increase influence.
That’s why labor union exist — to reduce employee dependence and increase employer dependence through collective action.
Roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce is unionized, and unions can:
Negotiate better wages
Protect against unfair treatment
Organize strikes when necessary
The Main Types of Power
Coercive Power
Power based on credible threats or punishment.
Examples:
Threatening to quit
Withholding cooperation
⚠️ Use sparingly — coercive power damages trust and only works if you follow through.
Reward Power
Power based on control over valued rewards.
Examples:
Bonuses
Promotions
Desirable projects
Reward power motivates only if:
Rewards are realistic
You follow through
Expectations are reasonable
Legitimate Power
Power that comes from formal authority or status.
Examples:
Managers
Team leads
Legitimate power only works when paired with:
Fairness
Trust
Ethical behavior
Charismatic Power
Power rooted in likability, respect, and vision.
People follow those they admire or believe in — sometimes irrationally.
A famous example is Steve Jobs, whose charisma inspired innovation but was sometimes misused.
Charisma is powerful — but dangerous if abused.
Expert Power
Power that comes from knowledge and competence.
You build it by:
Learning deeply
Sharing expertise
Demonstrating reliability
Lose it by:
Overselling yourself
Giving bad advice
Manipulating others
Power Is a Portfolio
No single form of power lasts forever.
Charisma fades
Authority can disappear
Expertise becomes outdated
Sustainable influence comes from combining power sources and using them ethically.
Power always has a cost — time, energy, reputation, or opportunity.
Using Power Wisely
Power can:
Improve organizations
Protect workers
Enable meaningful change
Or it can:
Corrupt judgment
Harm others
Distract from purpose
Before pursuing power, ask:
Why do I want it?
Who does it help?
What responsibility comes with it?
Key Takeaways
Power is about influence, not titles
Dependence determines who holds power
Criticality, substitutability, and centrality shape dependence
Power comes in many forms: coercive, reward, legitimate, charismatic, expert
Ethical use of power builds trust and long-term influence
In the final lesson, we’ll step back and talk about what happens when power, pressure, and ambition go unchecked — and how to avoid burnout while building a meaningful career.
FAQ
1. Is power always a bad thing?
No. Power can be empowering when used ethically and responsibly.
2. Which type of power is best?
There’s no single best type. A balanced combination is most effective.
3. Can I have power without being a manager?
Absolutely. Expert, charismatic, and collective power don’t require titles.
[PREVIOUS LESSON] | [COURSE OUTLINE] | [NEXT LESSON – FINAL]
