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M$1.00  Funded By Mahalo ? |  May 11, 2009 02:06 PM

How do you respond when your authority is challenged?

Describe your behavioral response to a challenge of authority
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Best Answer  Chosen by Asker

 
May 11, 2009 04:08 PM
First of all, I get angry. If somebody below me on the organizational structure doesn't do what I ask them to do, or they flat out refuse because they don't want to, I get pissed off. That is my first visceral reaction.

I haven't gone to any management classes, so I don't know what the "by the book" response is supposed to be. But the way I deal with this is reminding them of my position, and how it relates to theirs. I am higher up in the chain of command than you are, so you have to do what I ask, just like I have to do what my superiors ask. That's the way it works.

Standing my ground has always worked in the past. It has never gotten to the point where somebody below me on the chart has gone over my head to a superior. I have found that if they try to challenge me and I don't back down, they tend to relent.
Asker's Rating:
• Anger is an attempt to force control.


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Helpful: davepamn

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May 11, 2009 08:13 PM
Do you talk with the person and try and work out the differences? Is communication the issue or power?

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May 11, 2009 08:13 PM
Do feel that confrontation is the best way to handle conflict?

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October 22, 2009 04:12 PM
You should be grateful that you have employees that are smart enough to question and learn. This should be a great opportunity for you to showcase your intelligence and why you are in your position of power. Anger shows that you have self doubt and arrogance in feeling that you know everything and should never be questioned. Blind obedience is a scary thing.

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