Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

What is the focus of Referent Power?

1. Utilizing personal appeal and relationships

2. Enforcing rules through authority

3. Providing rewards for compliance

4. Sharing organizational data

The correct answer is: Utilizing personal appeal and relationships

Referent power is centered around personal appeal and the relationships that an individual cultivates within an organization or group. It derives from the respect and admiration that others have for a person, often because of their charisma, integrity, or interpersonal skills. This type of power is influential as it motivates others to follow, collaborate with, or support the person wielding it, not out of obligation, but rather out of a desire to emulate or connect with them. In the context of leadership and influence, individuals with referent power are typically seen as role models whose beliefs and values resonate with others. This connection fosters a sense of loyalty and commitment that can be more effective than power derived from position or control. The other options describe different forms of power and influence. Enforcing rules through authority relates to legitimate power, which is based on an individual's formal position within an organization. Providing rewards for compliance pertains to reward power, which relies on offering incentives for specific behaviors. Sharing organizational data does not align with the essence of referent power, as it is more about information dissemination than about personal relationships or appeal.