Understanding authority and influence

Good leaders must possess authority and influence. Although closely related, these two leadership roles have clear distinctions. Authority is a position that is given or earned, while influence is a natural force a leader may have because of his respected reputation.

When influence and authority are blurred

In many organizations, but especially churches, there can be confusion, complications and lousy chemistry when there is confusion about who is in the positions of authority versus positions of influence. This confusion can lead to members leaving roles and even to church splits.

Brad Waggoner, CEO of LifeWay, stated on a coaching call that, “This blurring of the two roles occurs slowly over time, usually happening when persons of authority fail to lead (causing a vacuum of leadership) or make mistakes (causing a lack of confidence). Consequently, others (often well-intended) begin to exert authority instead of influence.”

Individuals who are trying to exercise improper authority must face accountability. It is the leader’s responsibility to clearly articulate that usurping authority is unacceptable. These individuals must change or leave the organization. Sometimes having tough conversations comes with the job of being a leader.

Develop a code of influence

Leaders should develop their own code of influence. Here are some suggestions that could help you balance authority and influence in your church.

1. Research long and hard before speaking. Great leaders do the research before they speak. Also, when you do speak always be short in delivery and say it with a smile. Too much detail gives too much readability for interpretation.

2. Test your ideas before going public. Run them by staff and friends to get their feedback and thoughts. A great leader always starts small in cohorts before every bringing an idea out publicly.

3. Give others clarity and direction. The more detail and boundaries you place on a task, the tighter the delivery of the task will be. After a task returns, look at it and expand the boundaries more until you get the outcome.

4. Influence the influencers. Leaders understand how to lead people to move towards action. If you influence the influencers, they can help you achieve goals.

5. Allow people to dream with you. When you have an idea, allow others to speak into it and dream with you, so that they can own the dream and share it with others. This can develop into a snowball effect.

6. All pushback is feedback toward perfecting a more significant idea. Leaders should allow pushback on their ideas. Allow others to speak into your blind spots and help avoid possible pitfalls.

7. Teach others through their mistakes. Ask, “What would you have done differently?”

Let’s lead with integrity and be the leaders God wants us to become.

My personal code

Finally, here are a few ways I tend to operate, knowing that my calling and accountability are from the Lord.

1. My character is more important than my position.

2. Stay teachable, approachable and humble.

3. Find clarity in conversation, and clear the chaos. (Ask people to repeat things so that everything is clear and you completely understand.)

4. Admit personal mistakes in the circles in which they are created.

5. Be quick to share credit and take the blame.

6. Be courageous in your calling and direction.

7. Focus on lead-ability over likability.

Gary Mortiz serves as the church revitalization director at the Baptist Convention of New England.