Being a leader in an organization is a challenging role that comes with immense responsibility toward both employees and the organization. Leaders bear the burden of ensuring that the organization's limited resources are utilized efficiently and effectively in pursuit of its vision and mission. Without the appropriate exercise of power, leaders may struggle to manage and control these resources, putting them at risk of losing the respect of employees, shareholders, and customers.

In the context of leadership, power refers to the ability to influence employees to perform their tasks effectively and efficiently. There are various types of power that leaders must possess in an organization. One such power is reward power, which enables leaders to control and determine rewards and promotions for deserving employees. However, assigning these benefits to the wrong individuals can result in employee dissatisfaction and demotivation. Therefore, it is crucial for leaders to accurately assess employees' performance and achievements to make fair decisions.

Coercive power is another type of power that leaders may possess. This power allows leaders to create unpleasant experiences for employees and is sometimes necessary to discipline those who repeatedly violate organizational rules. While punishment serves as a deterrent, its incorrect implementation can lead to conflicts and rebellion among staff.

Legitimate power is derived from a leader's position and formal authority within the organization. Leaders with legitimate power have the right to monitor employees' tasks, make decisions, establish rules, and regulate the organization. Employees tend to comply with their leader's directives, believing that the leader deserves respect and has the authority to set guidelines and issue orders.

Referent power stems from a leader's qualities and unique personality traits. This power does not rely on force or coercion but instead on setting a positive example for employees to follow. Leaders effectively exercise referent power by aligning their words with their actions. As a result, employees feel compelled to follow and respect their leader.

The misuse of power by leaders can have significant repercussions for employees, including demotivation and dissatisfaction. It is the shared responsibility of both leaders and employees to cultivate a positive work

Dr Mohd Fitri Mansor is a senior lecturer at Universiti Malaysia Perlis.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Pulse.