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Spiritual
Authorities
This concept of authority
as something that causes another person to "do what you want him to
do" is reflected in most definitions. For instance
the Random House
Dictionary of the English Language speaks of authority as "a power or
right to direct the actions or thoughts of others. Authority is a power or
right
usually because of rank or office
to issue commands and to punish for
violations." Again the root idea seems to be control or direction of the
actions of others.
We see this same idea even
in sophisticated examinations of authority. For instance
William Oncken
Jr.
in a 1970 Colorado Institute of Technology Journal
gives an analysis of
authority that suggests it is comprised of four elements:
1. The Authority of
Competence: the more competent the other fellow knows you are
the more
confident he will be that you know what you are talking about and the more
likely he will be to follow your orders
requests
or suggestions. He will
think of you as an authority in the matter under consideration and will feel it
risky to ignore your wishes.
2. The Authority of
Position: This component gives you the right to tell someone
"Do it or
else." It has teeth. "The boss wants it" is a bugle call that
can snap many an office or shop into action.
3. The Authority of
Personality: The easier it is for the other fellow to talk to you
to listen to
you
or to work with you
the easier he will find it to respond to your wishes.
4. The Authority of
Character: This component is your "credit rating" with other people
as to your integrity
reliability
honesty
loyalty
sincerity
personal
morals
and ethics. Obviously you will get more and better from a man who has
respect for your character than from one who hasn't.
── William
Oncken
Jr.
Colorado Institute of Technology Journal 22
July 1970
p.
273.
In order to give the
illusion of authority
one must make immediate changes. (loose paraphrase of
Douglas McArthur). ── Leadership Journal
IV
3
p. 64.