While title and position are an important source of authority, leaders must also develop relational authority to be able to develop and maintain an engaged, accountable, and resilient team. When healthy positional and relational authority are in place, teams work with their leaders, rally around the purpose of their work, and accountability flows naturally. Without it, leaders run the risk of becoming either controlling, permissive, or neglectful.
David Falk shares his insights (2:45) on the importance of cultivating relational authority as a leader: