Legitimate Power is best described as:

• A. Power based on fear of punishment.
• B. Power based on the target person's belief that the agent has the right to make a request and the obligation to comply.
• C. Power based on expertise.
• D. Power based on charisma.

Answer: (B)

Legitimate power comes from the authority built into a formal position within the organization. When someone holds a command role, personnel accept that they have the right to issue orders and the obligation to follow them because the role and the department’s policies—and the chain of command—support that authority. In practice, this means a fire service officer can direct tasks and expect compliance because the organization recognizes that position as granting the right to command. This is different from coercive power, which relies on fear of punishment; from expert power, which stems from knowledge; and from referent power, which comes from personal charisma. Legitimate power is most effective when the officer’s authority is seen as legitimate through policy, structure, and competent, fair leadership.