An Authoritative Force - The Big 8

Guiding force was seen [see original article and based on the definition of leader from Dictionary.com, ] as “The pipe is designed to carry fluid thus it performs the function not only of leading the fluid (guiding force) but also contains and containing the fluid (authoritative force).”

Everyone knows how ridiculous it is to have a job where you have all of the responsibility for the proper maintenance or completion of tasks but no authority over the task or the people involved. The young in leadership and management often perceive authority to mean that they can do what they want, lead how they want and that they should not be questioned (even by their bosses). Not even Jesus – the Son of God – had this kind of authority as on earth he was willingly constrained by physical limitation to “do as my Father directs”. Those with authority need to remember that they derive it from someone else and it can be removed.

The one with authority should not mind it being questioned. The wise leader knows that the new followers and emerging leaders will wrestle with his authority. The follower will question it and push against it as he matures and learns to trust for the first time. The wise leader knows that their authority or the exercise of it will be questioned by their superiors. Leaders need to know that those who have gone before them have the responsibility and the authority to question them. This is a natural process for growth and leadership of leaders.

This testing of authority is one of the ways we learn about authority. A leader’s reaction to questions of his authority will reveal whether he believes his authority is self derived, whether he knows it is given from a higher source and whether he understands authority. A leader should neither be offended or surprised when people question his authority.

Authoritative Force does not ignore the class and grace of the Guiding Force but rather humbly walks behind the Guiding Force. In the word picture, if there were no testing of the guiding force there would be no need for the authoritative force. The pipe would be a path and the fluid would simply flow along the path. Even the willing follower will need the authority of the pipe at certain turns until he, too, becomes an accomplished leader. In this picture, it is Authoritative Force that makes the pipe a pipe instead of a trough or a path. Authoritative Force does say, “You have to…” and “it is required that you…” but remember those statements are best never said. When you are reduced to claiming your authority as a reason for the follower to act, then you may be a really bad leader. At best, which is still worst, you are a good leader who has a terrible follower.

Quiet authority is a much better force. Be gently in charge, guiding the water even though you now guide it with authority instead of attraction. There is no need for great pressure because the goal is to better the follower and achieve the goal. The goal is not for you to be established as a leader or for them to follow you. There is rarely benefit in a spitting match. In the end, if they will not follow then you can not lead and it will probably be best to part ways. That is often the final use of authority.

Authority assumes that most people really want to succeed, to be led and want to get there even when they wrestle with the path. Authority does not see questioning as a problem because it is expected and not personal. Authority sees “bucking” as a step in growing and becoming a leader. Authority simply knows that it is their job given by God (or someone else if you are not a believer) to lead and that they have the right to the job of leading the follower to the predetermined destination. Authority lays down its rights and privileges to guide the follower to that destination.

A pipe is not supposed to be a trough or path no matter what the follower says. A pipe is not supposed to squeeze the fluid but just contain it. A pipe does not determine its own destination.