Response 6: Prototype Theory and Referent Power

This past week, I was able to travel to Michigan to spend some time working again with HCPI’s portfolio company. Being that it was my third time in Michigan, I was more comfortable with the people there and thus I was able to spend more time observing their behaviors. One thing that I noticed this week was a very unique organizational structure that I think is rooted in the prototypically theory we discussed this past year.

The structure that I am talking about revolves around an individual who serves as the “plant manager”. In talking with him along with the president, I realized that he does not do the job of a normal plant manager. Instead, he was given this role to connect with the workers in the plant and motivate them to be as efficient and productive as possible. I came to learn that he actually was a hands on worker for many years and on top of that, grew up in the small community that this company is based in. Because of these things, he was, in many ways, the prototypical blue collar worker that younger workers looked up to and respected. His promotion to “plant manager” was a message to the workers that devotion to their jobs can lead to great long term results within this company. I think that his presence in the company is a huge factor in the efficiency of the workforce, and one that could go overlooked in many organizations. It was a great lesson for me on how valuable it can be to have leaders in organizations that have strong referent power amongst their followers.