An Examination of Successful Leadership Power Base Perceptions

Abstract

This research investigated the relationship between the leader's perception of their power base and the follower's perception of the leader's power base. Two research questions focused the research. Leaders attempt to influence follower behavior (Weber, 1947; Lewin, 1951; Dahl, 1957). Hersey (1969) suggests that leadership equals influence. Furthermore, leadership is closely related to the concept of power (Stodgill, 19 74). Yukl (1989) concluded that French and Raven's work (1959) enjoyed wide acceptance in trying to define the type of leadership. The Power Perception Profile developed by Hersey and Natemeyer (1979) includes French and Raven's (1959) five power bases, French and Kruglanski's (1970) information power and Hersey and Goldsmith's (1980) connection power. Results and discussion are included. Suggestions for future research are presented.