b'THE HR HANDBOOKWhen Working with Authority, Use with CareNEW LEADERSHIP ROLESgive you more respon- careful to not let others think you are abusing it.sibility and to fulfill those responsibilities, you needYou are usually brought to a new leadership role more tools. One of those tools is authority. Authoritybecause you are perceived to be good at whatever should come with a label warning to use carefully. Theyour new team does. As a manager of that team power of authority, especially for first time peoplethough, you will have other things to dothings leaders is a tool that you have never used before, and itthat only you can do. As a result, you are going to must be used wisely.slowly lose your credibility as a subject matter expert. There are three types of authority: Subsequently, your professional authoritythe realPositional authority or perceived belief in your knowledge and expertiseProfessional authorityeventually starts to decline. This perception often JONATHAN SHAVER Personal authority declines faster in others minds than it does in our own is the president andThis newest power on this list is most likely the posi- mind. When we do start to recognize that the detailed owner of Envisiontional authority. knowledge of the day-to-day work of our team is not Partners LLC.Positional authority comes from being the boss.as easily remembered or understood, out of fear of Simply your position in the hierarchy and the decision- having no authority whatsoever, we tend to substitute making that comes with it. Unlike professional anddeclining professional power with positional power. personal power, positional power is not always seenThis form of making up the difference of lost profes-in a positive light, especially when you are seen as thesional power with positional power is often overdone barrier to rewards and promotion. and might sound like, because I said so. Professional authority is the authority you haveIf you are a leader of a new team, or a new leader of built on the knowledge and expertise that comes froman old team, your personal authority is very low in the education or experienceand your willingness to sharebeginning. Because there is no relationship, you have it. Others look to you as the subject matter expert.very little personal power. Therefore, all your power lies Because of your expertise and knowledge, you arein the positional and professional categories. Even if often the last word on a subject. you are leading a group of your old high school friends, Personal authority is derived from the trust and rela- youve never had this kind of relationship. So, they tionship that you have built with others. This power givesdont really know you as their boss. They might think you the benefit of doubt, especially in difficult situations.they do, and this can be treacherous.The relative importance given to these sources ofEven though you start with low personal authority, authority are not the same for everyone. Perceptionsyou should hesitate using your positional authority as may come from the company culture, or they are heldyour source of power. Professional authority will only by an individual team-member based on their pastwork for a while. Therefore, personal authority is the experiences.only consistent source of power you have as a leader. As a leader, you should use positional authorityTo lead with personal authority, you need to know as little as possible. Positional authority only providesand articulate your values, align your behaviors, and short term motivation to team members, and the feel- get to know your team human level. Your lasting ing that I do things because I have to will ultimatelyauthority with your team rests solely in the relation-result in negative attitudes. Be warned that othersships you have with them. The first order of business may assume you are using it even when you are not.as a new leader is to build trust and to be trustworthy. Because of this assumption, your words have moreRelationships start with trusting others. Trusting others authority and, meaning than they used to. You nowintegrity, their judgment, accepting their passions and represent the organizationyour words have moretheir intentions. In return, be trustworthy. Act with power. Your behaviors have more power. Your everyintegrity passion and have good intentions. Ask ques-move is being watched for new meaning. This sourcetions. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. of power is most often why leaders feel a shift in theUse and share your knowledge and experience wisely. relationship with former peers. You do have positionalAs a new leader, manage relationships and the rest will authority, and you sometimes have to use it. But become.SWLATAMSEEDWORLD.COM /35'