ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Leadership and organisational culture
The CEO of Harlow Retail, Tomas, is admired by junior managers who copy his work habits and values and want to be like him, even though he rarely uses his formal position or rewards to get his way. Which type of power best describes his influence?
Tomas holds referent power. His influence comes from juniors admiring and identifying with him and wanting to emulate his values and habits, rather than from his formal position, control over rewards, or specialist expertise.
- AReferent powerCorrect
- BReward power
- CLegitimate power
- DExpert power
Explanation
Referent power arises when followers identify with and admire a person and want to emulate them. The scenario stresses admiration and imitation, not formal position (legitimate), control of rewards, or specialist knowledge (expert). Charismatic leadership relies on this source.
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