I Have the Power! A Workplace-Like Scenario for the Five Bases of Power

In this session, we will present an engaging experiential activity used to demonstrate the five bases of power (French & Raven, 1959). In the activity, select participants are assigned to roles that correspond with the different bases of power while the remaining participants are assigned to a small team and given a hands-on task. Takeaways include a strong understanding of the bases of power, how they play out in a workplace-like scenario, and best practices for navigating power-laden contexts. This activity is appropriate for in-person organizational behavior or leadership courses in which the concept of power is discussed.