If you’re not actively aware of the various levers of power, you might be adversely influenced by them.
Multifamily leaders who don’t understand the six types of power unintentionally create cultures of confusion, fear, or apathy.
Start with reward power.
It’s the most abused.
Overused, it trains teams only to act when compensated.
Underused, it dries up loyalty.
True reward power feels like belief in someone’s trajectory, not just their last KPI.
Coercive power is dangerous—but not optional.
When used sparingly and surgically, it creates boundaries that preserve trust.
Without it, chaos impersonates freedom.
Expert power is influence earned through mastery.
It’s the quietest and most contagious form.
You want it in your leasing team, maintenance techs, and analysts.
When you promote without it, the culture notices—and bleeds credibility.
Referent power is gravity.
It’s the force that makes people follow you even when they disagree.
You earn it by showing up with authenticity and consistency.
It’s not charisma.
It’s conviction in human form.
Legitimate power is baked into your title.
But it only matters if the system around you values hierarchy.
In high-performance cultures, legitimate power isn’t obeyed—it’s translated into accountability and clarity.
Informational power is underrated and misunderstood.
Whoever controls context, controls the conversation.
Great leaders don’t hoard data—they leverage clarity.
Here’s the catch: power is never just one thing.
Every moment in multifamily leadership is a blend of these levers.
Mastering them is about intention.
And the cultures you build will mirror your mix.
“The power you use most often will define the culture you create.” – Mike Brewer