7 Steps to Gaining Authority
(Partially Excerpted from my new book "Disorganize or Bust")
Authority is defined as: “the power or right to give orders
or make decisions: the power or right to direct or control someone or
something.” The source of authority may be internal (residing within), or
external (authority vested by an external agency.)
External Authority
Our next president of
the United States will be given great authority. But he will also be under the
authority of the constitution and those who elected him or her. While this
external authority is great, the success of the presidency will be determined by
its internal authority.
A policeman with a badge
and uniform has the power and right to direct automobiles and trucks to stop,
turn, or proceed. His authority has been vested in him by a governmental
agency. His authority is identified by his badge and uniform. An impostor could
steal the uniform and badge and go out in the street and direct traffic and the
drivers of the vehicles would not know he was an impostor and would probably
follow his direction. His authority is in his appearance. The policeman does
not have the physical strength to stop a truck coming at him at a high rate of
speed, but he is able to stop the truck by the authority vested in him by the
government.
In a traditional business organization, there is a
hierarchy of authority. The Board of Directors - whose authority is vested in
them by the stockholders or owners - has authority over the president, who has
authority over vice presidents, etc. There is a hierarchal structure of
authority throughout the entire organization.
Similarly a military officer gives orders to troops who
are trained to be obedient and to respond quickly to proper commands. The
officer’s authority is vested by higher authority and backed by the government.
Uniform insignia designates her rank. It shows that the officer has authority and
also is under authority. The military is a hierarchal organization where orders
come down from the top to the lowest echelons and obedience looks up for
direction.
There is one major problem with external authority. It can
be taken away quickly without any warning. As a result, external authority
must be guarded and protected. When protecting your position, you will
inevitably encounter someone who challenges your authority, leading to conflicts.
External authority may lead to compliance from underlings, but it does not
always warrant respect.
Internal Authority
Internal authority is based upon character. Organizational
psychologist and author of “Give and Take,” Adam Grant, states "there were
two ways to gain influence (have authority); dominance or prestige."
Internal authority is all about “Prestige.” Internal authority may be difficult
to explain but it is
one of those things that “we know it when we see it.”
Those with internal authority know who they are, why they
are where they are, and what must be done. A person develops internal authority
by growing in individuality, self-confidence, conviction, integrity, and having
a servant attitude.
Individuality
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make
you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Ralph
Waldo Emerson
Every individual in the world is unique. Unfortunately -
because we have a desire to fit in - we try to hide our uniqueness and become
like others around us. We see this in teenagers who dress alike, talk alike,
and act alike. There are some who rebel and dress and act differently, but soon
the rebels will come together and share their dress and actions as they fit
together.
In the business world, there is a tendency to dress, think,
and act alike. In many large corporations, you see individuals who dress alike,
have similar facial hair, and walk with a certain gait. Most of them
are inadvertently imitating their immediate boss who in turn is copying the
chief executive.
Individuality is important. It is the quality that makes one
person or thing different from all others. It is not easy to be different, but
you cannot develop internal authority if you are trying to be like someone
else. Today we have too many people in politics, business, and the church who
are not sure of their own identity, so they put on masks and try to become like
the ones they care about, or what they think others want them to be. They do all of
this in the hope that they will be accepted.
Watching the presidential primaries shows a remarkable
example of how individuality is standing out and becoming popular with the
voters. Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders certainly stand out as individuals in
the crowd of politicians.
Individuality requires an understanding of one’s gifts,
talents, and purpose. While you can grow in knowledge and ability, the only way
you can grow in individuality is by being yourself and not trying to emulate
someone else.
Self-confidence
Self-confidence is confidence in oneself and in one's powers
and abilities. It is not prideful but it is being totally honest about who you
are. You know your weakness and limitations as well as your strengths.
Self-confident people have a peace about them. There is an internal strength which
allows them to handle criticism and failure without reacting in self-pity and
defensiveness. Self-confidence allows one to react appropriately to criticism -
to be objective, analyze, and accept appropriate criticism.
Anyone who is active bringing in new ideas will be
criticized. It is the nature of the game. Self-confidence allows us to look at
the criticism objectively, evaluate it to determine the validity, and take
action when necessary.
Conviction/purpose/focus
Individuals with internal authority have a conviction
regarding what they are doing. By focusing on their purpose, they will not be
sidetracked by unimportant issues which could distract and keep them from
reaching their goal. Strong leaders are gifted with the ability to see long
range goals and not chase down rabbit holes. Focus is derived from a conviction
or purpose which evokes passion and a willingness to make sacrifices to achieve
that which they seek. Passion is contagious and draws others to the battle.
Others catch your passion and are led toward the same goal. People will follow leaders
who have a passion about their purpose.
“I just set myself on fire and people come to watch me burn.” [John
Wesley]
Each of us has a destiny, or purpose, in life. But we often
dilute our efforts by chasing after things we are not called to chase. It is
better to be good at a few things than mediocre at many things.
Integrity
Integrity is measured by what you do when no one else is
looking. It is the quality of being honest and fair - the state of being
complete or whole. Integrity seems to be lacking in many leaders today. We are
witnessing the lack of honesty and fairness by politicians, business
executives, religious leaders, and individual citizens in today’s world.
Integrity seems to have been lost in this egocentric Post-Modern world.
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted
with important matters.” [Albert
Einstein]
Leaders with integrity will stand out and be followed by
others seeking truth. Integrity requires us to speak the truth without
exaggeration, follow through when we say we will do something, be careful in
money and moral issues, live what we preach, and be a servant to those we
lead - willing to sacrifice our own desires to help others.
Servant Attitude
A Servant attitude will
always result in internal authority. A servant leader wants to benefit the
group and desires to make other people successful and see them grow. It is a
way of honoring others. There are too many leaders today that sacrifice the
people that they have authority over, to further their own personal agenda.
Ezekiel 34:2 (MSG) "Son of man, prophesy against
the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, 'God, the
Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren't
shepherds supposed to feed sheep?
Increase Your Internal Authority
Internal Authority cannot be taken away. People with
internal authority will always rise to the top of an organization. They do not
have to be afraid of other people, they can take risks and be innovative, and
they end up with external authority given to them. They will be
recognized by higher authorities and do not have to rely on the external things
to be successful.
Those with authority must be under authority. If they
cannot be under authority, they cannot be trusted to be given greater
authority. If they can relate well to those over them, they will be able to
relate well to those under them.
Internal authority can be increased by following the steps
listed below.
1. Know yourself:
Understand who you are; your abilities, your strengths and
weaknesses, and your purpose in life.
2. Eliminate Fear of failure:
Develop a Godly self-confidence. Baseball player, Sammy Sosa
broke the record for strikeouts in a single season. He hit 62 home runs
breaking the record of Babe Ruth, but he struck out more often than he hit a
home run. Most people who have accomplished great things have failed a
couple of times. Good people only condemn others for not trying, not
those who try and fail.
3. Eliminate Fear of Rejection:
Do not be afraid of what others might think. Attempt
something great. It is far better to attempt something great and fail than to
attempt nothing and succeed.
4. Accept what you cannot change, be thankful for what you have:
5. Believe in the importance of your purpose:
6. Walk in integrity:
Be honest about your weaknesses and limitations. Be a
learner, don’t be afraid to say, I don't know. Change your mind once in a
while. Allow others to change your mind once in a while. Ask for
help and advice once in a while. When you are wrong, admit it and repent
quickly.
7. Have Faith in the future. Expect success.
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