Legitimate Power

Definition: Legitimate Power is a form of power that is based on the perception that someone has the right to prescribe behavior, typically but not necessarily due to election or appointment to a position of responsibility in the organizational hierarchy.
LP is one of the bases of social power as described by French and Raven.
Also called Normative Power.
LP is a form of positional power, typically being based upon a person’s position in an organization, as are also coercive power and reward power.

More on legitimate power.
More on power: Bases of Social Power, Coercive Power, Expert Power, Information Power, Insubordination, more...

MBA Brief offers brief, yet very accurate definitions of MBA concepts, frameworks, methods and models. We keep it short and provide some links in case you'd like to learn more around a subject.