• Legitimate Power: Based on one’s formal position or authority within the organization. It is sanctioned by organizational rules and hierarchies.

• Reward Power: Comes from the ability to provide rewards or incentives to others for compliance or cooperation.

• Coercive Power: Involves the ability to punish or impose sanctions on others for non-compliance.

• Expert Power: Derived from knowledge, skills, or expertise that others value and respect.

• Referent Power: Arises from personal characteristics or qualities that make others want to associate with or emulate the individual.

Politics, on the other hand, involves the use of power to influence decision-making processes in ways that benefit individuals or groups. It includes behaviors such as networking, forming alliances, lobbying, and maneuvering to gain advantages or protect interests. Organizational politics can be perceived positively when used to advocate for change or innovation but can also be seen negatively when it involves manipulation or self-serving actions.