Authority, Power & Leadership
We often conflate and confuse the terms authority, power and leadership. Undoubtedly, they are all relevant to efforts to create enduring, positive community change. But to get the change we want we need to be clear about what they each mean and how each are exercised in civic spaces, those places where public, private, philanthropic and community interests intersect.
Authority is the ability to give orders and make decisions for others. In the civic space authority is very limited. A mayor has authority over parts of city hall (but probably not city council). But mayors cannot make decisions for or order around those who work for other entities, such as a community foundation, corporation, hospital or a non-profit in their city. Same goes for the CEOs of foundations, companies and non-profits. These individuals have authority in their organization, but not in their community.
Power is the ability to do something, including the ability to influence others’ behavior or decisions. In the civic space, power is everywhere. Residents have power, as do elected officials, CEOs and executive directors. Everyone at the civic table has power, but that power is unequally distributed. In healthy communities, the abundance of power is honored, and power is shared. In stuck communities, power is hoarded and consolidated.
Leadership is the ability to inspire others and guide them to achieve something together. This ability is not dictated by an individual’s authority or power. How an individual uses their authority and power does determine their ability to exercise leadership in their community.
Because most of us were raised in hierarchical cultures, we often expect (and even wait for) those with authority and power to exercise leadership. This practice often puts collective efforts on a poor path. Too often, those with authority think it extends beyond the boundaries of their organization. They mistake ordering people around with exercising leadership. And those with power – especially those with power to control resource flows – too often believe their power gives them a better understanding of an issue and its solution.
Leadership is not developing a solution. Leadership is helping others develop a solution. Leadership is uniting diverse players to work together to implement a solution. Leadership is evaluating progress and learning lessons, including looking in the mirror at how one’s own actions are hindering or helping.
Individuals who greatly value their authority struggle to exercise power and leadership in civic spaces.
Individuals accustomed to consolidating power struggle to exercise leadership in civic spaces.
Individuals focused more on the needs of the community than their own stature are much more willing to acknowledge their lack of authority and share power to advance a shared purpose.
In healthy communities, individuals are comfortable asking questions about how authority, power and leadership are exercised. Steps are taken to ensure healthy power dynamics are present at civic tables. In healthy communities, individuals that share power are celebrated. And when individuals begin to hoard power, they are reminded that’s not how things are done around here.
In stuck communities, tables are convened and controlled by those with power. Power dynamics are fixed and not addressed.
Getting unstuck is possible when people start using their power to explore questions about how they and others are using it. In this post, I share four examples of how people with power chose to share power and helped move their communities forward.
