POWER TEST

"Power is like being a lady... if you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

Margaret Thatcher, 20th century British politician.

True no matter what level of authority you think you find yourself at, and if you think otherwise, you're not at whatever level of authority you thought you were.

WHEN TO, WHEN NOT TO

"Next to knowing when to seize an opportunity, the most important thing in life is to know when to forego an advantage."

Benjamin Disraeli

19th century British politician/author

Particularly for managers who almost always have the advantage but often not the sense to leave it be.

Respect But For What?

"Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office."

Aesop

6th century Greek fabulist

Impressed with yourself?

Even the military knows that the salute goes to the uniform, not the man wearing it.

The Limits of Authority

"The disappearance of a sense of responsibility is the most far reaching consequence of submission to authority."

Stanley Milgram
20th century American psychologist

So, you want to be "in charge" but watch how much so you are.

At some point, exerting too much authority results in a lack of initiative on the part of those you lead.

Authority: Giving Versus Taking Orders

"There are two kinds of people who never amount to much: Those who cannot do what they are told and those who can do nothing else."

Cyrus H. Curtis
Early 20th century American publisher

This is one of the best quotes regarding reaction to authority I've seen.

How do you strike balance between being a too independent thinker versus not enough so?

I likely strayed too far to the former in my career.