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Followers obey only because they fear punishment. Which type of power is the leader using?

Coercive power, power through fear of punishment.

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  1. Coercive power ✔
  2. Legitimate power
  3. Expert power

Why: Coercive power gets people to comply because they fear punishment. It comes from the leader's position. Relying on fear backfires, because people can't do their best when they are afraid.

Huh, didn't know that: Learn to Lead warns that people cannot show their full potential in an atmosphere of fear.

The dad joke
Why did the thundercloud make a poor leader? Everyone was scared of its storming orders.
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References

Answer: Coercive power. Coercive power gets people to comply because they fear punishment. It comes from the leader's position. Relying on fear backfires, because people can't do their best when they are afraid.

  1. Learn to Lead, Volume 2, Chapter 7 (Civil Air Patrol) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Vol2LetterLowFinal_8BDFDB373E830.pdf
    coercive power, in which followers obey because they fear punishment.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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