3 Ways to Build Authority
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Everyone wants the ability to change the world around them, but some carry much more influence than others. These people possess authority. Authority is an interesting thing because unlike power, which can be gained independently, authority must be given by others. From Wikipedia, “…’power’ refers to the ability to achieve certain ends, ‘authority’ refers to the legitimacy, justification and right to exercise that power. For example, whilst a mob has the power to punish a criminal, such as through lynching, only the courts have the authority to order capital punishment.”
In academia, authority is often associated with someone or some work that is definitive, respected, and found to be the most knowledgeable or accurate in a certain field. Authority is often correlated to the number of times the person or work is cited in other academic publications. Technorati, a popular blog ranking site assigns each blog an “Authority” rank based on the number of other web sites linking to that specific blog. Again, authority is given by others.
Webster’s defines authority as, “power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior,” and also as “convincing force.”
How, then, does one gain authority? The following are three paths to gaining authority that apply regardless of career, position or geography:
Service - People will rarely allow you to have access into their life if you have not served them in some capacity. The most trusted professions in America happen to be the professions most associated with service–doctors, police officers, teachers, and military officers are among the highest ranking. It should come as no surprise that the most trusted professions are also rewarded with the most authority. The act of putting other people before yourself is widely preached and rarely practice, but the individuals, businesses and organizations that do this best reap the benefits.
Just think of the last time a business went the extra mile in serving you, what was your reaction? The most common reaction to service is greater trust. Howard Schultz has built Starbucks around the concept of serving his employees using measures such as stock options and benefits for employees working as little as 20 hours a week. As a result, he and the rest of the management team has gained authority in the lives of each Starbucks partner resulting in higher quality people working at Starbucks, low turnover rates, and widespread adoption of the companies values and culture. Starbucks is an excellent example of how service is a direct path to authority. The question is how much do you really have to offer others? All of us have something to give, but the more we can offer others the more authority we create.
Excellence - “Do you see those who are skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank,” - Proverbs 22:9 TNIV. One of the truly universal currencies at work today is excellence. Someone who is excellent at his profession will always be in high demand. Excellence is proof that authority is due, the evidence that one has knowledge, has mastered his skill or craft and can be trusted to execute. Excellence shuts the mouth of critics and gives a platform for one to exercise her authority.
It is possible to gain authority without excellence, but it will be nearly impossible to keep it. Who you know may many times get you in the door, but what you know will keep you there. Incompetence leads to distrust and a shrinking of one’s circle of influence. Excellence opens doors that would otherwise be shut. What makes our new globalized, flat world interesting is that through the rise of the internet, global communications and the cheapening of travel, geography has become less of a factor in regards to success and influence, while excellence has quickly become THE factor. No longer can one rely on the protection of trade unions, favorable geography or birth right to secure authority, if someone in India can program better than the kid in San Francisco the Indian will most likely get the job and the authority with which it comes. Excellence is a sure path to gaining authority and a must-have in maintaining authority.
Integrity - Authority is directly related to trust. Due to this it is incredibly important for one to possess integrity if he or she wishes to have influence. People will not allow liars or cheats access to their lives. Without integrity the prior two authority builders, service and excellence, are irrelevant. The ripple effects of a break in integrity are tremendous harming everyone connected to the person or situation where the the failure occurred. Integrity means more than just honesty, it means doing the right thing when no one is looking, understanding there’s no such thing as a secret. Integrity is the ability to consistently make the right decisions when faced with life’s moral crossroads.
All of us have met people that are continually looking to cut corners. Most of the time it is not simply one large lie or breach or integrity that is the cause for a breakdown, but rather a series of small, seemingly inconsequential choices made poorly over a long period of time. One of my favorite definitions of integrity is “wholeness” or “completeness.” Even the smallest break in integrity can destroy a life. People of great integrity command respect and will always have authority because their standard of living raises the bar for everyone around them. Integrity must be the foundation of any person or organization endeavoring to build authority.
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4 comments
Hi Cam,
A couple things:
I would argue that your first sentence—although probably correct in theory (or peoples minds)—is rarely actuated in practice. Most people have the ability to change the world. Moreover, they probably even want to change the world, but lack the internal motivation and drive to ever get where they want to go. A new idea, network, blog, job, etc, excites people at first, but then the idea dissipates and drags on (in my opinion), most people never reach their full potential because they end life not really knowing what they were chasing. It’s actually scary to me how many people don’t know what they want out of life….
I often question people because they may say they want authority (rank, etc.), but do they really? More work, tougher decisions, etc…I continue to ponder the role of rank/title in creating leaders. I think people get stuck in the “I don’t have authority” mentality and thus fail to step outside the box.
I like your Starbucks example for service, and it made me think of Wal-Mart right away. I find it funny they call their employees “associates.” When was the last time an 8-5 Wal-Mart employee had stock options? When did the word “employee” become derogatory? I wonder how Starbucks incredible use of “brand loyalty” plays into the way they treat their employees. It seems like the “cool” factor plays an important role in creating enough buzz to attract employees who actually want to work for you.
Anyway, just my thoughts. Beautiful baby….I bet she’s keeping you busy!
Best,
Brian
Great thoughts Brian,
I suppose the first sentence came from my thought that people’s authority is directly related to the access they have into people’s lives. If no one allows you access into their life your authority is essentially nullified, as well as your influence. I do agree completely though that there is a lot of untapped authority, influence, etc. out there by people that are great starters, but soon find themselves stuck in the borderland between their old life and the life to which they aspire and never finish.
Speaking of Starbucks, I just finished “Pour Your Heart Into It” by Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks. It is interesting how he approached building a brand.
“When I looked back, I realized we had fashioned a brand in a way no business-school textbook could have ever prescribed. We built the Starbucks brand first with our people, not with consumers–the opposite approach from that of the crackers-and-cereal companies. Because we believed the best way to meet and exceed the expectations of the customers was to hire and train great people, we invested in employees who were zealous about good coffee.”
Cam,
Brilliant article. I really liked your distinction between power and authority. As I am trying to grow as a leader, I thought your outline of ways to earn authority is not only Biblical but true to life. Very insightful, my friend.
[...] It doesn’t matter whether it is your boss, a police officer, or a university dean. People in authority have a job to do and often worked hard to get into the position they are in. They deserve to [...]
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