Which power involves gaining trust and respect from followers?

Referent power stems from the personal qualities and characteristics of a leader that inspire trust, admiration, and respect among followers. It is rooted in the leader's ability to connect with their team on a personal level, fostering a sense of loyalty and commitment. This type of power is often earned through actions, integrity, and the leader's ability to relate to the experiences and emotions of others.

In contrast to other types of power, such as expert power, which is based on knowledge and skills, or coercive power, which relies on the ability to punish, referent power is primarily about interpersonal relationships and the influence that comes from being a role model or a person of character. Authority power, while it denotes a position of formal power, does not inherently foster trust and respect in the same way referent power does. Thus, referent power is particularly effective in creating a positive and motivated team environment, as it relies on shared values and mutual respect.