What type of power involves granting rewards for performance?

Reward power refers to the influence a person has over others by providing them with positive incentives or rewards for certain actions or behaviors. This form of power is rooted in the ability to give benefits—such as praise, promotions, bonuses, or other forms of recognition—which can motivate individuals to perform well or comply with directives.

In a workplace context, a manager who demonstrates reward power might recognize an employee's hard work by offering them a bonus or a desirable project assignment, reinforcing the desired behavior and encouraging continued performance. This dynamic emphasizes a transactional relationship where positive outcomes are linked to specific performances, thus fostering an environment where individuals strive to meet or exceed expectations. This effectiveness is often tied to the value individuals place on the rewards being offered.

The other types of power mentioned do not specifically focus on granting rewards for performance. Coercive power is based on the ability to impose penalties or consequences, expert power arises from having specialized knowledge or skills, and legitimate power is derived from a person's formal position or authority in an organization. Each of these has its own distinct mechanism of influence, but none directly ties to the act of rewarding performance like reward power does.