Read this short Wall Street Journal article (Links to an external site.) on how to get power when you have none. The most common description of power is French and Raven (1959) Download French and Raven (1959). This divides power into five different forms. Coercive power: This is the power to force someone to do something against their will. It is often exercised through threats, implicitly, or explicitly. It is the power of dictators, despots, and bullies. Its principal goal is compliance. Demonstrations of harm are often used to illustrate what will happen if compliance is not gained. Reward power: Reward power is the ability to give other people what they want, and hence ask them to do things for you in exchange. Rewards can also be used to punish, such as when they are withheld. The promise is essentially the same: do this and you will get that. Legitimate power: Legitimate power is that which is invested in a role. Kings, policemen, and managers all have legitimate power. The legitimacy may come from a higher power, often one with coercive power. Legitimate power can often thus be the acceptable face of raw power. Referent power: This power form comes from another person liking you or wanting to be like you. It is the power of charisma and fame and is wielded by social leaders.
