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defines referent power as, individual power based on a high level of
identification with, admiration of, or respect for the powerholder. Those with
referent power inside the organization are excellent candidates to become
game-changing leaders because their influence and leadership are driven

by the value and respect others have of them. Referent power explains
why celebrities are paid millions of dollars to endorse products or services
in commercials.

Expert Power

Knowledge is power. Frances Bacon

Another type of personal power is expert power. This is found in those who
it is believed are able to help others with performing a certain task or job,
or who possess a unique base of needed information. These leaders can

have a positive impact on staff members when they believe, recognize, and
respect the leader’s expertise and track record. On the other hand, leaders
may try to protect their elevated status by hiding the sources of their
knowledge and making it difficult for others to access it. The “silos” that
exist in many organizations reflect this kind of thinking.

When expert leaders have the welfare of the organization and its members
in mind, they can be viewed as having a unique ability to see the
organization more clearly and understand problems more accurately than
anyone else in the organization. This type of power gains compliance
based on the ability to dispense valued information. As jobs become more

specialized and technology more complex, organizations are becoming
increasingly dependent on their “experts.”

However, just having the expertise is not enough. This expert must behave
in a way that leads others in the organization to recognize and value that
expertise. In addition, an effective leader’s job is not to know everything
but to recruit and work with people who know things that he or she does

not.

David Kolzow 38