If a supervisor instructs an employee to perform a certain task, which type of power is being utilized?

When a supervisor instructs an employee to perform a certain task, the type of power being utilized is position power. Position power derives from the formal authority that an individual holds within an organization. This includes the ability to give orders, delegate tasks, and enforce compliance due to their designated role. Employees recognize the authority of their supervisors, and therefore comply with directives based on the understood hierarchy and the responsibility that comes with the supervisor's position.

In this scenario, the supervisor’s ability to instruct is rooted in their job title and the power it grants them to manage and oversee the work of employees. This organizational structure is fundamental to workplace dynamics, as it establishes clear lines of authority and responsibility.

Other types of power, such as expert power, stem from the individual’s specialized knowledge or skills, and coercive power is based on the ability to impose penalties or punishments. Dominant power is not a recognized formal type of power in organizational behavior. Each of these has different implications for employee interaction and compliance, but in the context of a supervisor giving instructions, position power is the most accurate identification of the influence being exerted.