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

What is the main characteristic of Coercive Power?

1. Ability to inspire others through knowledge

2. Influence through the promise of rewards

3. Influence through punishment and compliance

4. Leadership through personal relationships

The correct answer is: Influence through punishment and compliance

Coercive power is fundamentally based on the influence a leader has through the ability to impose negative consequences or punishments to ensure compliance. This characteristic highlights how this form of power relies on fear or the threat of punishment as a primary means to control or influence others’ behaviors. It operates on the premise that individuals will follow directives or instructions not out of respect or admiration, but rather to avoid unpleasant outcomes. In contrast, the other types of power listed in the options are rooted in different dynamics such as inspiration, reward, or relationship-building. These approaches foster voluntary compliance and motivation among team members, whereas coercive power can lead to a culture of fear and potentially result in resentment or low morale. Such differences underline the unique nature of coercive power in the broader landscape of leadership and influence.