I knew this but didn’t appreciate how a team sees you in a leadership position until reading the details in Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini.
Your team views your influence as a leader as either
IN authority or AN authority:
IN AUTHORITY means you’re in charge, empowered, in a leadership position. This can have challenges if you use your position to give orders. This results in resistance and resentment.
AN AUTHOITY means you embrace the role with your team, you’re working as a group, a unit. You seek input from your team and you guide, coach and provide direction.
To be perceived as AN authority, you need to build credibility, which requires two distinct attributes:
Expertise – knowing the subject matter, the technology, the bigger picture and translating it for your team.
Trustworthiness – your objectivity, honesty, clarity, consistency in your actions and communication.
I find this insight fascinating and love breaking it down into manageable chunks. Something I can practice and build on daily through learning and working with my team.
