What is the definition of power in a leadership context?

In a leadership context, power is defined as the capacity or potential to influence others. This definition underscores the relational aspect of leadership, where influence is a key factor in guiding, motivating, and directing teams toward goals. Power is not merely about having authority or controlling resources; rather, it is more about the ability to affect change and shape outcomes through persuasion, inspiration, and the establishment of trust.

Leaders often wield power in various forms, such as positional power derived from their role, or personal power based on their expertise and relationships. The effectiveness of a leader is largely determined by how well they can leverage their power to inspire others and mobilize them around a shared vision. This concept also emphasizes that true leadership is less about domination and more about collaboration and mutual respect, where influence is achieved through engagement and connection rather than coercion.

In contrast, the other options focus on specific aspects of leadership that can be influenced by power, but do not capture its broader definition. For example, managing teams and delegating tasks are skills that may derive from a leader's power, while controlling resources is more of a functional aspect of management rather than an inherent definition of power itself.