Three sources of power stem from characteristics or behaviors of the power actor: expert power, referent power, and prestige power. All are classified as personal power because they are derived from the person rather than the organization. Expert power and referent power contribute to charisma. Referent power is the ability to influence others through one’s desirable traits and characteristics.

Expert power is the ability to influence others through specialized knowledge, skills, or abilities. A component of expert power is having information not widely possessed by others, such as being an accurate predictor of commodity prices. Another important form of personal power is prestige power, the power stemming from a person’s status and reputation. A manager who has accumulated important business successes acquires prestige power.

Managers acquire visibility based on their reputation—for example, a middle manager who has been successful at reducing turnover in the restaurant or hotel industry. Integrity is another contributor to prestige power because it enhances a leader’s reputation. Executive recruiters identify executives who can readily be placed in senior positions because of their excellent track records (or prestige).