Which of the following is true of referent power?
A) It is only maintained by protecting one's credibility by not overstepping boundaries and pretending to have expertise that really isn't there.
B) It is only based on serving others and helping them use their talents fully so that organizations benefit society.
C) It never allows others to exercise power and achieve influence within an organization.
D) It can be developed and maintained through good interpersonal relationships that encourage the admiration and respect of others.
E) It never allows managers to act in a unilateral fashion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Referent power is the power that comes from being respected, admired, and liked by others. This power is based on developing good relationships with others and maintaining one's credibility and expertise. Therefore, the best choice is D, which states that referent power can be developed and maintained through good interpersonal relationships that encourage the admiration and respect of others. The other options are incorrect as they either limit the scope of referent power, make absolute statements, or are not relevant to the concept of referent power.

Which of the Following Is True of Referent Power