What role does position power play in leadership?

Position power is primarily linked to a leader's formal authority as conferred by their rank or title within an organization. This aspect of leadership means that individuals with position power can make decisions, enforce rules, and allocate resources due to their designated role. Such authority enables leaders to direct the actions of others simply because of their position, which can lead to compliance from subordinates who understand that the leader has the right to make those decisions.

In contrast, expertise, personal relationships, or information dissemination, while valuable in their own rights, stem from different types of power such as expert power, referent power, and informational power, respectively. These types of power are not inherently tied to a person's title, but rather to their capabilities, personal connections, or access to information. Position power, therefore, stands out as essential for establishing directive leadership within a structured organizational framework.