Blindspot!
From Issue: 684 [Read full issue]
Moral Authority
Moral authority is primary greatness (character strengths); formal authority is secondary greatness (position, wealth, talent, reputation, popularity). The interesting thing about Moral authority is what a paradox it is. The dictionary discusses authority in terms of command, control, power, sway, rule, supremacy, domination, dominion, strength, might. But the antonym is civility, servitude, weakness, follower. Moral authority is the gaining of influence through following principles. Moral dominion is achieved through servanthood, service, and contribution. Power and moral supremacy emerge from humility, where the greatest becomes the servant of all. Moral authority or primary greatness is achieved through sacrifice.
There are times of great chaos, confusion and survival when the strong hand of formal authority needs to be used to get things back on track, to a new level of order and stability or to a new vision. However, in most cases when people use their formal authority early on, their moral authority will be lessened. Remember that when you borrow strength from position, you build weakness in three places: in self, because you are not developing moral authority, in the other, because they become codependent with your use of formal authority; and in the quality of the relationship, because authentic openness and trust never develops.
Compiled From:
"The 8th Habit" - Stephen R. Covey, pp. 299-302