Referent power is based on which characteristic?

Referent power is based on which characteristic?

• A. A leader's formal authority
• B. The holder's technical expertise
• C. A leader's personal charisma
• D. A person's attraction to or desire to be like the holder of power

Answer: (D)

Referent power stems from how much followers identify with and want to emulate the leader. It arises when people admire, respect, and like the leader, feeling a desire to be more like them or to model their behavior. Because influence comes from this personal connection rather than from a position or specific skills, the leader can influence others through attraction and identification. This matches the idea that a person’s attraction to or wish to imitate the power holder is the basis of referent power. In contrast, formal authority relies on the organizational position, technical expertise provides influence through knowledge, and while charisma can support influence, referent power is best described by the followers’ identification and aspiration to be like the leader.

Referent power stems from how much followers identify with and want to emulate the leader. It arises when people admire, respect, and like the leader, feeling a desire to be more like them or to model their behavior. Because influence comes from this personal connection rather than from a position or specific skills, the leader can influence others through attraction and identification.

This matches the idea that a person’s attraction to or wish to imitate the power holder is the basis of referent power. In contrast, formal authority relies on the organizational position, technical expertise provides influence through knowledge, and while charisma can support influence, referent power is best described by the followers’ identification and aspiration to be like the leader.