Return to our main website

PRINCIPLES in BUSINESS: the principles that shape exceptional organisations

MESSAGE BOARD: Issue 14. January 2009

Hello, Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2009 Message Board from PiB, the 14th in our series of monthly news and articles on corporate life, leadership and of course, the 3Ps approach. If you missed previous Message Boards, you can retrieve them from the PiB Message Board Archive.

As usual, my appreciation for the thoughtful comments on these Message Boards. Please feel free to continue emailing your comments.

In the meantime, enjoy this issue... peace, David.

IN THIS ISSUE

2009 Calendar Events in Perth
Saturdays February 7, 14 21 2009. Snapshot Series 2: The Philosophy of Everyday Living

The Message Board Feature Article
This month we are looking at Part One of a three part article on Authority. I speak of course about 'natural authority', not the authority which is often bestowed upon us and fills us with fear (of what others will think, say or do)...

We Are What We Do
Our regular column with insightful ideas to reflect on...

Subscriber & Privacy Information

2009 CALENDAR EVENTS in PERTH

Perth readers who have travelled the 3 Principles road with us will remember our very popular Snapshot Courses at the Midland Centre. They were (and still are) a wonderful exploration of the 3 Principles for small groups. The first of our Saturday Morning Snapshots, Living Resilience, was held 6 December 2008. Thank you to all who participated! We are now taking Registrations for the 2nd in our series, The Philosophy of Everyday Living. It is being held over three Saturday mornings in February so bookings need to be in fairly quickly...

The Philosophy of Everyday Living To find out more and register yourself (or register a group of friends), click the image below...

THE MESSAGE BOARD FEATURE ARTICLE

Authority: no pips on the shoulder [Part 1 of 3]

For me, authority always comes from within.

Authority can be a momentary reality or a way of life but in essence, when we act with authority we experience a moment of integration, a moment without fear, and a moment when we act with no other guiding force than an inner conviction of the soundness of our judgment. Such authority integrates clarity of vision or purpose, compassionate intent, equanimity of mind and humility of spirit; becoming "an unbroken authority".

Confusion or indecision are symptoms of an unsettled state of mind, a state we have all experienced, perhaps more often than we would care to admit at every level of our lives - as parents, as co-workers, as managers and as leaders. We are called to act authoritatively, but our minds and heart sometimes fail to integrate.

The Outside-in Authority: relying on the pips on my shoulder

Part of my schooling involved School Cadets, where the world of rank, status and authority was embedded in the environment. I gained the rank of corporal and my brother a sergeant. One of my brother’s friends was the regimental sergeant major and another was a lieutenant. Through the command structure, we had varying levels of authority, responsibility and accountability - it was all neat, clear and ordered, with little room for deviation.

When I was responsible for training privates in a particular drill I knew I had authority to give commands and expect orders to be followed with good intent by my school peers. In turn, if I was in need of guidance and on-the-job training, my sergeant would call me to account (sibling relationships were put aside!). The sergeant major was nicknamed ‘major’ because he was unable to 'leave his pips on the parade ground’ as it were. He commanded and bullied fellow students and strutted about, on or off the parade ground. Most of the students resented him and he was often the butt of pranks. On the parade ground he was feared, resented and loathed - little respect was given or offered.

The Inside-out Authority: no pips needed

I don’t know what happened to the ‘major’ but it took me many years to start to appreciate that authority comes from inside, and self-authority is a natural state inside everyone. Do I still have moments of being shy and fearful? Yes! But the lieutenant I mentioned earlier showed a different example of authority. His ability to command the troops and engage their good intent was powerful. He did not require threats, personal rebuffs or humiliation to bring the best out of his peers. He possessed a natural self-confidence and was able to bring the same confidence out in each of us. When he made mistakes he was able to take responsibility and when the shoe was on the other foot there wasn’t too much hesitation on our behalf to accept our responsibility.

I remember a situation where one of my fellow class mates (known by most to be a trouble maker) refused to follow my orders during drill practice. Suddenly the lieutenant’s voice was heard. I don’t remember exactly what he said, yet it was clear that he was asking the ill-will to change to good intent, and for respect to be honoured - not for me, but for the rank and the authority accorded me. He took me aside, advising that if the situation didn't change I should send the class mate on for him to handle, for the good of the group. On parting and to my surprise, he said ‘You command well and have leadership qualities corporal.’ We saluted and both went about our duties.

My formative years in cadets (and later in the Australian Reserves) taught me much about authority. Both the 'major' and I had lots to learn about where true authority resides. The authority demonstrated by the lieutenant taught me much about creating relationships of authority:

First, self-authority
Orders and comands delivered to build respect and gain good intent.
Active support of people in authority is an investment in the common good of the group.
Make standards of performance clear and ensure that orders are followed, by all, for the good of all.
Recognising and acknowledging leadership in others builds a chain of authority.

Natural Authority: a contagious Inside-out process

Exceptional managers and teams see that authority is a natural capacity within each person, regardless of their position inside the company. These companies become exceptional because they recognise and support each individual at every level toward a sense of contribution and integrated authority. These individuals, in turn, nurture other individuals toward their own innate and natural authority to contribute to the good of the entire business, and themselves.

© David Bodman 2009.

Permission to copy for personal use is granted. For other publication rights please contact the author.

WE ARE WHAT WE DO

FORWARDING THE MESSAGE BOARD, PRIVACY, SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION & EMAIL PREFERENCES

Privacy
PiB will never rent, trade or sell our email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. You'll never get an unsolicited email from a stranger as a result of our association.

Subscriber Information
You are, or have been, a valued client of Principles in Business, Dimension 4 Consulting, or The Philosophy of Living Centre (formerly known as the Psychology of Mind Resource Center) and your name has been added to our database. You are currently subscribed to receive both the Message Board, and occasional emails for Calendar Events in Perth.

If you wish to unsubscribe from The Message Board, Unsubscribe Here

If you wish to unsubscribe from Calendar Events in Perth, Unsubscribe Here

Email preferences
Would you prefer to receive further emails from us in Plain Text? If so, send us an email here

Print on recycled paper whenever possible

Principles in Business
PO Box 2243 Midland Perth WA 6936
P 61 089 274 8877
F 61 089 274 7354
E director@principlesinbusiness.com