Authority

​I know not everyone is into it but I am.  I like to look at words and see their meaning and applications.  If it were like a car, I am not a top of the range one in doing it.  I just like to get some sort of understanding.  I really do know that looking into it more I would find more but what I often find does me.
Today I was looking at the word authority.  I really had in the first instance to define it to know what direction I could go with it.   What I came up with was a combination from Webster-Merriam and Wikipedia.  “The power (derived from position, status or office) to make decisions concerning others and order their execution.”
When I used to fill in for someone higher, I was acutely aware of the authority of those around me.  While I had nothing but respect for the authority, it was not in my nature to treat them as anything but another human being.  Someone said something to me years ago I have never forgotten, “you treat everyone the same.”  I do.  Even those in high authority need friends and those that will relate to them by more than their position.
I remember someone saying to me, “you spoke to such and such.  I couldn’t do that.”  The answer is, well yes.  It was something I needed to do.  And what I have found is that mostly, treat others well and you will be treated well.”
One thing sitting in those meetings showed me was that authority could be delegated.  In my normal position I had authority to a certain level.  When I acted in a superiors position I had more authority.
We had someone visit us with their mum one time and it was like having royalty visit.  In fact, we threatened to never clean our toilet seat again as their DNA was there.  We never followed that one through though.
I recently had firsthand experience of authority.  Something was dragging on and on.  I wrote and said if it continues, I would be forced to involve the Ombudsman.  I could not believe how quickly a resolution happened.
Authority can be used or abused.  I am seeing it abused at the moment in Europe.  One person is wreaking havoc because they can.  They have the authority.  If Joe Average from the suburbs tried to do the same, they would at best be ignored and at worst locked up or killed.  They do not have the authority.
I hold very much to the inverted triangle view of the exercise of authority.  So often we see authority represented as the top of the triangle.  The authority I respond most readily to is the authority that understands the grass roots.  Those that make decisions based not just on filters, but as a result of understanding where I am coming from.  Authority that has been where I am and makes me feel I matter.
As I thought would happen, the more I look into it the more there is.
But right now maybe I will pull out a weed.  I have the authority.  As long as that is ok with the wife.