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, Referent Power, more...