Legitimate Power

Legitimate power comes from the belief that a person in higher position has the lawful right to demand and expect obedience from others who are at a lower position in the hierarchy.

As per Lipkin, a person with legitimate power should realize that this power is given to him and can be taken away at any time; hence he should never opt to misuse it. She added that when an individual rises to an honorable position and his employees believe that he deserves that position, they will respond constructively when he exercises his power. On the other hand, if that person is not respected by the people who are working under him, a move to elevate him can backfire or prove to be a bad idea on the part of the organization.   

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