The 8 types of power and how they manifest

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Stephen Robbins developed a classification of the types of power taking its origin as a criterion. From that point of view, there are eight modalities, each of them well differentiated and with its own sphere of influence.

There are different types of power that, in turn, are present in various areas of life.. The truth is that no one escapes them, no matter how libertarian or independent they are. The individual and society by extension are shaped and developed within the framework of relationships with power.

There are different classifications for types of power. One of them is that of Stephen Robbins, an expert in organizational behavior and author of several books. To make your categorization, Robbins starts from three areas: the individual, organizations and the systems.

From that point of view, finds that there are eight types of power, depending on the factor from which it is exercised. In other words, there are factors that are a source of power and these give rise to the classification that Robbins proposes, which includes the following modalities.

“Power imbues with indifference everything that is not power.”

-Enrique Tierno Galván-

1. Coercive

One of the most traditional types of power is coercive, which is based on fear. The others obey because the consequences of not doing so can be very negative.

Its main tool is sanction or punishment and the mechanism it uses is the implicit or explicit threat. It is a form of restrictive power.

2. Obedience for reward

Reward power is the opposite of the previous one, although it also uses coercion. In this case, the obedience arises from the benefits that can be obtained from this.

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It does not require any specific talent from the powerful, but rather the ability to provide something that others want or need. It is a form of vertical power and is also considered restrictive.

3. Legitimate, one of the types of power

Legitimate power is that which has been formally instituted by law a regulation, standard, etc.. It can even derive from a custom or tradition that has become the norm, even if it is not written.

Whoever exercises it has the power to punish or reward. It is derived from the rule or law that gives influence over others.

4. Expert judgment

Expert power is one of the types of power that does come from the specific talents or abilities of the person who exercises it. In this case, the source of power is knowledge skill or experience.

A person knows more, knows how to do better or understands the details of something and that gives him authority over others. The more specialized a field is, the more power the experts have.

5. Reference

Reference power has to do with the forms of influence that emanate from the social impact that some figures have. Specifically, celebrities, influencers, etc.

People who fulfill these roles become models for others.. There are many who want to imitate them or give credibility to what they say or do, solely because of the fame or prestige they have.

6. Of the position

This is another of the traditional types of power. It is configured based on the position that a person occupies within a hierarchy.

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It may be related to expertise, ability or other factors, but ultimately what gives strength to your exercise is the position you hold. All the bosses, managers, supervisors, etc. fit there.

7. Staff

Personal power is that which emanates from the person themselves, in an integral way.. In most cases, it implies a sum of virtues in which wisdom and ethics predominate.

It is a power that an individual exercises because of who he or she is as a human being and that makes him or her a reference for others. It differs from reference power because in this case fame or public influence does not matter.

8. Resource-based

This type of power is the one that is born from possessions. It is perhaps the oldest form of power over others and comes not from the person who exercises it, but from the assets they possess. These can be money, land, machinery, real estate, etc. These are the elements that allow you to have influence and, sometimes, dominance over others.

All types of power contemplated in Stephen Robbins’ classification are individual and vertical in nature. There are other classifications that refer to collective or horizontal forms of power, but this will be a topic that we will discuss on another occasion.