Authority & Leadership: Two Keys for Achieving Success

What is authority? Do you have any?

What is leadership? Am I a leader?

Some people would like to have authority and others don't know what to do with it if they've got it. Some prefer to never have authority at all. There are people who constantly question authority while others accept it with no difficulty at all. Authority seems to be a puzzling issue. People wrestle with the concept daily in their personal, social, and professional life.

Authority is not something we are born with; it is not something we can purchase at the supermarket or a bookstore. Real authority has little to do with position, title, or rank. And, while it is true that some people have authority assigned, given or delegated to them by a superior; and others might assume authority in order to fulfill their role as a supervisor, chairperson, or even as a parent - the truth is that real authority is something we earn from those who allow us to lead them.

In order to lead you need people to follow. No leader has real authority until the leader proves themselves worthy in the eyes of their followers. If subordinates refuse or can't follow because of how you use (or abuse) your authority you are not a leader. No matter how great you think you are, no matter how great a job you think you are doing; a leader's own viewpoint and those of their supervisors don't matter. It is the perspective of those being led that determines whether or not you are a leader.

Commanding or ordering people to follow you is one way to exercise authority; however commanding without leadership is usually short lived. If your commands appear to be arbitrary, people will resort to following your orders only when you are watching and ignoring your orders when they think you aren't watching.

We are not saying you need a consensus in order to lead. Ultimately, the leader is responsible to those who have handed him/her the authority. An accomplished leader helps each member of his/her team understand the overall purpose and goals they are trying to achieve. Each member of the team understand their role in reaching these goals, and the tasks required in order to attain success. They know what is in it for them. (For more leadership information click here>>> Target Based Leadership)

Authority without leadership will not help you accomplish your goals or the goals of your organization. If you're in any position of authority, ask those around you what you can do better in order to earn their respect. When their purposes line up with the leader's goals, and the organization's goals there will be few limits on what can be accomplished. Stay in tune with their needs and how they need leadership - not how you want to lead.

Avoiding Ruts

Have you ever reached a place in your life where you felt that you were entitled to take it easy from that instant on?

It's nice to imagine a magical point in time where you can take it easy for the remainder of your life. But let's face it, that moment in time is pure fantasy. Even the people wealthy enough to "kick it" and kick back don't buy into the illusion of a nirvana retirement where they do nothing the remainder of their lives. These people, like most of us, are always looking for the next activity or challenge.

Do you have people at your workplace or maybe even someone in your own home that has decided to "retire?" From the outside it looks like their new purpose in life is to just "hang around for the ride" and let everyone be their servant.

These people aren't looking for new challenges. They are not interested in improving things. They don't think about their competition. The have no concern for their co-workers. These folks appear to have checked out from everything and everyone, including their family, co-workers, customers, employees, and friends.

This is "coasting" behavior. The minute you begin "coasting", you begin to lose your value. Anyone who starts "coasting" has to be going downhill. It is impossible to coast uphill.

Let's face it - what we accomplished yesterday is "water under the bridge, water over the dam, old news." We cannot coast on yesterday's successes!

It's what you are doing today and planning to do tomorrow that has importance. No success is final - no success lasts forever. Look at Michael Jackson, when he decided to give recording a rest, he completely lost touch with what was happening in the music world and what his fans were interested in hearing. His recent comeback attempt never came close to the success he once enjoyed. If you are enjoying success you have to keep planning new ways to keep succeeding.

As each goal is accomplished, look for a new one and keep going. When you feel that you've got it made, watch out! It's the first step into a rut. Each next step gets easier and easier. When you're dead, (we think but aren't certain) you can afford to stop peddling. The reality is that when that day comes, you don't care if you're going uphill or down.

Remember, "A rut is nothing more than a grave with the ends kicked out!"

Searching For Utopia…

Are you looking for utopia?

Utopia is a Greek term which literally means "no place" and is used to refer to an ideally perfect place, especially with regards to its social, political, and moral features.

We believe most of us are searching for happiness. But, we would be more successful in our explorations if we placed the majority of our attention in the here and now.

Some of us, maybe most of us, are always believing that the next thing will bring us happiness. If only - I got that new BMW; or if only we could move into that newer, bigger house; or if I can just get one more Master's degree - then I know I'll be happy.

If only… If only… If only…

Happiness isn't a destination somewhere out in front of us. Happiness is not something we find outside of ourselves. Real, lasting happiness comes from our internal satisfaction. It comes from the people we choose to be significant relationships in our lives. Happiness is found in the work or mission we spend our days performing.

Likewise, happiness isn't something that will happen in the future, or has only occurred in the past. Happiness is right under our noses today - if we will only look!

Periodically feeling unhappy is normal. There are situations, or occurrences that can cause sadness or feelings of unhappiness. These feelings are normal. But, if you are always feeling unhappy, dissatisfied or imagine that your happiness only comes from people or things outside of yourself, you might need to spend some time reflecting about what's going on inside of you.

Here is a list of signposts or symptoms that might suggest you're heading the wrong direction. Do you:

Quick Tips - 1

Authority & Leadership: Two Keys for Achieving Success