Referent power is a type of power that a leader gains through strong interpersonal relationship skills. It is an aspect of personal power that becomes particularly important as organizational leadership becomes increasingly about inspiring and influencing others. Referent power is most easily seen in the charismatic leader who excels in making others feel comfortable in his or her presence. Staff typically express their excitement about work in terms of their attraction to their leaders personal characteristics and charisma. They commit to their work because of the leaders likability, and they base their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment on their leaders approval.

Referent power may be defined as the ability of a leader to influence a follower due to the followers admiration, respect, or identification with the leader. It is never a formal type of power as it relies on the personal qualities of the leader. The followers admire these qualities and see the leader as a role model. They look up to him or her, and in many situations, they consider what the leader would do in this case.

Referent power is one of several different kinds of power. Other forms of power include expert power, coercive power, reward power, and legitimate power. However, referent power is considered the most influential type of power that a leader can have. It creates strong connections between leaders and their followers, and followers may try to gain their leaders’ approval by imitating the way they act.

To build referent power in leadership, it is important to earn the trust of others, which is crucial for effective leadership. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for building a base of referent power:

• It takes a long time to earn and no time to burn.
• It is much more about what you hear than what you say.
• Be authentic and transparent.
• Be empathetic and understanding.
• Be a good listener and communicator.

In summary, referent power is a type of power that stems from a leaders ability to inspire and influence others through their personal qualities and charisma. It is considered the most influential type of power that a leader can have. To build referent power, it is important to earn the trust of others, be authentic, empathetic, and a good listener and communicator.