{"id":1209,"date":"2018-05-20T19:50:40","date_gmt":"2018-05-20T19:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/?p=1209"},"modified":"2018-05-21T09:35:31","modified_gmt":"2018-05-21T09:35:31","slug":"authority","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/open-leadership\/authority","title":{"rendered":"Authority?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Authority\u2019: a word that divides many, may bring many back together. Not as a matter of fact though.<\/h3>\n

The situation and an appeal to some caution<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Authority can be seen as always personal. For example, the \u2018authority of scripture\u2019 is the authority of those who command scripture to be authoritative.<\/p>\n

To some, \u2018authority\u2019 is nothing but an ugly word, used to denote an even uglier concept.<\/p>\n

To others, it\u2019s one of the pillars of morality.<\/p>\n

Between adherents of both viewpoints, there frequently lies an abyss of incomprehension with hardly any bridge in sight. The \u2018bad\u2019 is always present at the other side. A sordid situation.<\/p>\n

So, can a bridge be envisioned without falling into the abyss?<\/p>\n

Something about bridge-building<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One should not be na\u00efve in this. Bridge-building is not necessarily difficult but always precarious. One faux pas and down goes your bridge, under applause from left and right.<\/p>\n

[And indeed, in case of \u2018authority\u2019, this may be something related to \u2018left and right\u2019 \u2013 politically \u2013 at least at the surface.]<\/p>\n

So, instead of immediately jumping into an active bridge-building, one should see how both sides of the abyss can be brought closer together. With success, at least the bridge can be smaller and stronger.<\/p>\n

Any relevance of this to authority?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Yes, by going into the concept. \u2018Authority\u2019 is about one who dictates, and the other(s) being dictated to\u2026 for a starters\u2026 at first sight.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually about much more and \u2013 through that \u2013 about something very different.<\/p>\n

Authority is about a way for people to be together in a functioning group. The authority figure serves to guide this process. It\u2019s a shortcut to group efficiency.<\/p>\n

Both sides of the abyss have a very different view of \u2018authority\u2019. Nevertheless, both are good people basically<\/em> striving for a good world in which to lead a good life. The \u2018bad, very bad other side\u2019 is mostly quite profoundly misunderstood.<\/p>\n

Look at my use of the word \u2018serves\u2019 in the previous paragraph.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A good authority figure is a leader. A bad authority figure is just a boss. A good leader (Open Leadership) serves<\/u><\/em> his people. His authority is mainly \u2018symbolic\u2019 in the sense that it is granted<\/em> to him. It\u2019s not an outgrowth of his body.<\/p>\n

As little coercion as possible. Sometimes, it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n

Invitation\u2026 as efficiently as possible. Sometimes, this is not sufficient. In such case: no \u2018Mr. Nice Guy\u2019 but always in a nice way.<\/p>\n

Authority is never meant to be the way of the bully<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

though it may sometimes appear to be so. That is definitely an aberrance.<\/p>\n

Walking on the nice side<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to me, \u2018authority\u2019 can be a nice word if used to denote people who really deserve it. It\u2019s a lot of work to deserve it, a work never finished.<\/p>\n

A real figure of authority walks the talk and talks the walk. He is respected as a person and finds in this an immense delight.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a shortcut to efficiency.<\/p>\n

He knows the valor of symbolism and his own being<\/em> a symbol<\/em> himself: something of deep meaning which must be earned.<\/p>\n

Ah, you were waiting for a bridge?<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Every figure of real authority is<\/em> himself a bridge. He should nevertheless take care not to fall. He deserves to be supported by both sides.<\/p>\n

As any bridge.<\/p>\n

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\u2018Authority\u2019: a word that divides many, may bring many back together. Not as a matter of fact though. The situation and an appeal to some caution Authority can be seen as always personal. For example, the \u2018authority of scripture\u2019 is the authority of those who command scripture to be authoritative. To some, \u2018authority\u2019 is nothing Read the full article…<\/a><\/p>\n

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