Question

Both a cosmetics shop owner and kindergarten teacher are in leadership positions. What types of power do you think would work best for each of those positions and why?

Answer 1

In case of a cosmetics shop owner, reward power would perhaps be optimal. A cosmetics shop owner has to rely on several employees to operate his/her store and therefore requires the ability to delegate matters they do not wish to do to other people and to reward them for this. Employees would be inclined to carry out their responsibilities well if they are getting something they perceive as valuable in return. On the other hand, a kindergarten teacher would probably use legitimate power. This power is effective in this situation, given the wide age difference between kindergarten students and the teacher along with the teacher serving as a role model for the students.