What type of power might be leveraged by someone with a highly specialized skill set?

The type of power that can be leveraged by someone with a highly specialized skill set is expert power. This form of power arises from an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience in a specific area. When someone possesses expertise that is valuable and rare within an organization, they can influence others and gain respect due to their capabilities. Colleagues and decision-makers are more likely to trust their judgment and follow their recommendations as a result of recognizing their specialized knowledge.

In contrast, coercive power relies on the ability to enforce compliance through threats or punishment, often found in positions of authority. Referent power stems from personal attributes that inspire admiration and loyalty, rather than specialized skills. Legitimate power is derived from a formal role or position within the organization, granting authority based on the established hierarchy, but does not inherently involve specialized skills. Thus, expert power is the most fitting answer in this context, as it specifically relates to the authority that comes from possessing valuable and recognized expertise.