Withholding or postponing a reward is an example of:

Withholding or postponing a reward falls under the category of coercive or punishment power because it leverages the idea of control over beneficial outcomes. Coercive power is based on the ability to impose penalties or remove privileges, which can lead to compliance through the fear of negative consequences. In this context, by delaying a reward, a person or leader creates a situation where individuals may feel pressure to align their behavior with expectations to ultimately receive the desired reward.

This approach differs from reward power, which involves the actual provision of rewards to encourage certain behaviors. While both forms of power relate to influence, the key distinction lies in the nature of the action—coercive power involves the threat of losing out on rewards rather than the positive reinforcement associated with reward power. Understanding this dynamic is crucial in management and leadership, as it highlights the implications of how power is used to motivate or discourage behavior within a team or organization.