Re: [SAGE] Help! Multiple platforms in a Dell Shop

[Steve Barnet <barnet@chem.wisc.edu>]

Brock, Anthony - NET wrote:

> I agree that we rarely have the direct authority to impose anything.
> However, my experience has show that this usually isn't needed. In fact,
> most of the times I've "had the authority and enforced it" resulted in
> my loss of the authority.
> 
> Very few policies should initially be enforced with "authority". Most
> should be encouraged through education, reminders and a more subtle
> approach. I've learned to only step up to wielding "authority" when this
> fails, which also happens to be when most people will agree that I've
> been more than reasonable. Anything else breeds resentment, resistance
> and (eventually) a coup.
> 
> Ultimately, our jobs are less about enforcing or wielding explicit
> authority than developing the influence to encourage decisions that
> comply with our needs (which is a more powerful and subtle form of
> authority). Just my two cents.

A wise friend of mine likes to point out that there are
two types of authority:

1) Vested authority - the authority you have because of your title.
2) Comptence authority - the authority you have because of your ability.

Competence authority can be difficult to obtain, and fragile to
maintain as it's really a matter of earned trust, and a solid
track record. It takes time to build it, and can be lost with
a keystroke if you're not careful.

Ideally, you operate predominantly using your competence authority.
Vested authority is useful at those times in which the path is
not clear, and a decision must be made, or in emergency situations
where time is of the essence. In those cases, people will usually
not resent your use of vested authority as they can see the need.

As someone has pointed out to the original poster, keeping track
of associated costs may be the most productive way to proceed. It
may well be that they are willing to bear additional costs, or
that they decide it's not worth it. Either way, cost is one thing
C?O types deal with regularly. Of course, if they simply attempt
to deduct the costs from your sleep budget, well then you are
faced with a choice. :-)

Best,

---Steve