Authority

There are moments when authority is not only useful, but necessary. Not as often as we think, but still necessary. Moments where life-safety is at stake, like on a highway, are appropriate times to employ authority. Most other times, it’s a placeholder, a short-term substitute for a better, more long lasting way…the longer game of leadership. There’s a price to pay for using too much authority. Eventually, people grow tired of being told what to do, especially without purpose or a chance to contribute to the mission. Eventually, the good ones, the people seeking leadership, leave.