Your Authority

Daniel 2:21

"It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.

There are two kinds of authority leaders possess: positional authority and relational authority.

1.  Positional authority comes from title, rank, and status. It’s the authority you get from the hierarchy of an organization.

2.  Relational authority comes from the trust and respect of others. It cannot be demanded, but is given freely (or not) by your followers.

Please Note

• It’s possible to have positional authority without relational authority. All of us have worked for someone like that, and it’s painful. Think Dilbert’s pointy-haired boss or the Office’s Michael Scott.

• It’s also possible to have relational authority without positional authority.

All of us have worked with someone like this. Everyone goes to when they need something done. This person appears nowhere in a formal chain of command, but their influence is felt everywhere.

The leadership effectiveness of a person with positional authority without relational authority is limited. Yes, they can tell you what to do, and, eventually, you’ll do it. But only because you have to and only what’s absolutely necessary.

The leadership effectiveness of a person with relational authority and no positional authority is also limited in their leadership. Sure, they get things done, but when decisions are made, they’re usually not in the room. And that diminishes their ultimate impact.

Those who operate with high levels of leadership effectiveness possess both positional authority and relational authority. People give their all for leaders like this. They follow them anywhere–and freely do their best work–because they respect both the person they are and the position they hold.

Here’s how to become this kind of a leader:
1.  Practice what you preach. In other words, lead by example.
Titus 2:7

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness"

2. Honor your word. When you say you’re going to do something, do it. No exceptions.
1 John 2:5 ESV

But whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
By this we may know that we are in him:

Deuteronomy 23:23 ESV

“You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.”

3.  Be real. Who you are is who you are.
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

4. Give credit to others and accept blame yourself. (Most leaders do just the opposite.)
Philippians 2:3 NIV “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,
in humility value others above yourselves,”

5.  Say sorry. When you make a mistake, admit it, openly and honestly.
Matthew 5:23-24 ESVSo if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

6. Never give up. Cling to the courage of your convictions, even (especially) when things go bad.
Galatians 6:9 ESVAnd let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.


Life Group Discussion
1. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 – 10 for each of the six leadership effectiveness items above, and ask yourself, “What kind of authority do you have as a leader?”

2. How about in our church, is all this possible to call our King’s Men and challenge them for Jesus? Can it really happen?

3. Do we value the men in our church?