Which statement about coercive power is not correct? Multiple choice question. A committee member or officemate can exert coercive power by refusing to cooperate with others. In order to exert coercive power over someone, a person must have formal authority over them. Designated leaders have the coercive power for such actions as assigning unpleasant tasks, denying pay raises, and firing people. We often follow another's bidding when failure to do so would lead to unpleasant results