Organizational structures can be used to grant individuals a power base.  That is to say by dint of your location in the structure you have associated power to make decision and demand tasks (typically related to those lower in the structure than you.)

For example if you are granted the role of CEO in a corporation typically you would be near the top of the organization structure and have significant power associated with your role.

Power without Organizational Role

It is normal to have our individual power to provide direction and get things done enhanced by our organizational role but being a powerful leader is not dependent on it.

The power to get things done through and with others exists in all of us and while positional power is a nice boost sometimes the results of efforts derived from collaboration and  joint influences are far more rewarding.  And of better quality.

 Personal Power

Getting others to join you in doing things or behaving in a particular requires an exercise of your personal power.  Your capabilities ultimately depend on your own ability to influence and collaborate.

Leading purely using role based power seldom works effectively and has a high probability of failure.  Position based power usually relies on consequences over persuasion.

This consequence approach has limited value and duration.  Typically it is unsustainable.  Buy-in of others rarely stems from fear over the longer term.

The practise of personal power is a fine line between directive and collaborative methods and the right balance can produce amazing results.