What is legitimate power?

Legitimate power refers to the authority that one holds due to their recognized and formal position within an organization or social structure. This type of power is accepted and acknowledged by the members of the group, meaning that individuals feel obligated to comply with the directives or commands of those in positions of legitimate power. For instance, a manager in a workplace has legitimate power because they were appointed to that position and have specific responsibilities and rights associated with it.

The other options describe different forms of power; personal charisma emphasizes an individual's ability to influence others based on their character rather than their formal role. Power gained through deception highlights manipulation instead of the formal authority that defines legitimate power. Lastly, a temporary influence that does not require authority speaks to influence that may not be based on any recognized position, which contrasts with the concept of legitimate power that is inherently tied to a recognized structure.