Comments on: 3 Ways to Build Authority http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/ Learning Resilience in the Age of Turbulence Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:58:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Back To School - 17 Good Habits For A Successful Life | My Super-Charged Life http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/comment-page-1/#comment-7086 Back To School - 17 Good Habits For A Successful Life | My Super-Charged Life Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:05:54 +0000 http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/#comment-7086 [...] 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 [...] [...] 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 [...]

]]> By: Glenn Packiam http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Glenn Packiam Thu, 24 Jan 2008 04:30:00 +0000 http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/#comment-98 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. 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.

]]> By: Cameron Schaefer http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Cameron Schaefer Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:35:57 +0000 http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/#comment-93 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." 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.”

]]> By: Brian Reese http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Brian Reese Wed, 23 Jan 2008 03:18:04 +0000 http://www.schaefersblog.com/3-ways-to-build-authority/#comment-92 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 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

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