Do I get a gold star?

Colleagues,

MVP: Reward power comes from giving good things to people, tangible and intangible.
 
This week I’m sharing five forms of power. Yesterday we looked at legitimate power, the only form of power limited to hierarchical positions.
 
Reward power comes in many different forms.
 
Of course, things like money and promotions are rewards used by people in hierarchical positions.
 
But what about other rewards?
 
One fall I did a training with a group of middle school teachers who did not appear to be thrilled about being with me.
 
I began to worry and became quite nervous.
 
Then a teacher at the table nearest me made eye contact and smiled. That smile was a reward and it helped restore my confidence. Throughout the training I would look to her and if she was smiling, I would feel better.
 
Approval and encouragement are forms of reward power.
 
The teacher had no legitimate power over me, but that didn’t stop her from wielding power.
 
Any of us can use reward power and most of us do on a frequent basis.
 
Today’s intention: Applying power includes an attempt to influence. Be watchful today. Do you see people attempting to influence others by way of reward, especially intangible ones?
 
Cheers!

Frederick