ABSTRACT
For people, images of the less powerful come to mind, leading them to define power as the ability to avoid others’ attempts to influence their behavior. In truth, both of these views are correct. That is, power is the ability both to influence the conduct of others and to resist unwanted influence in return. Praise, promotions, raises, desirable job assignments, and time off from work are outcomes that managers often control. If they can make decisions about the distribution of such rewards, managers can use them to acquire and maintain reward power. Legitimate power is based on norms, values, and beliefs that particular people have the legitimate right to govern or influence others. From childhood, people learn to accept the commands of authority figures – first parents, then teachers, and finally bosses. Employees who work harder because a supervisor with reward power has promised them incentive payments are displaying compliance behavior.
