Glossary
Reward Power
What is reward power?
Reward power is influence that comes from being able to offer something another person wants. A supervisor who controls a desired bonus has this kind of power over an employee.
How it works
The other person has to value the reward and believe you can deliver it. A promise of a bonus carries little weight if the employee does not want it or does not trust the promise.
French and Raven identified reward power as one of the bases of social power. Their framework describes a source of influence. Whether a particular bonus improves performance is a separate question that requires checking what happened.
Examples of reward power
- In leadership, a manager may control a desired bonus or promotion.
- In education, a teacher may control an award a student values.
- At home, a parent may offer a wanted privilege for completing a chore.
Each illustrates a potential source of influence.
Using reward power
Ask whether the reward is wanted, whether the person trusts it will be delivered, and whether the conditions are clear. Also check how people view the allocation: who receives the reward, and on what basis? A short-term target deserves another question: what important work does it leave unrewarded?