I do not get along with people who think they are above me or that they can tell me what to do just on the grounds that I "have to listen to them." Childish, no? Well, perhaps...
In my opinion, people tend to confuse the words "power" and "authority." Power is the coercive force to make people do what you want simply because you are stronger (monetarily, in terms of resources, numericaly, etc.). Authority is earned and it comes with respect (that is, people listen to you because you generally know what you are doing... but they don't have to listen to you, and you don't make them listen either). When I hear somebody talk about their "authority" I groan a little because I'm hearing the double whammy of: 1) ignorance to the fact that somebody with authority should never have to say they have authority because that would ruin the point and 2) they are trying to coerce me into doing something by waving around their clout, not showing me why I should be doing it.
I put this thread in the AS section because I'm an aspie and I feel that this is a common asperger trait. Perhaps it will benefit you to have some new perspective or words to express your frustration when people try to boss you around because they think they are better than you and that you are too stupid to understand the situation.
In my opinion, people tend to confuse the words "power" and "authority." Power is the coercive force to make people do what you want simply because you are stronger (monetarily, in terms of resources, numericaly, etc.). Authority is earned and it comes with respect (that is, people listen to you because you generally know what you are doing... but they don't have to listen to you, and you don't make them listen either). When I hear somebody talk about their "authority" I groan a little because I'm hearing the double whammy of: 1) ignorance to the fact that somebody with authority should never have to say they have authority because that would ruin the point and 2) they are trying to coerce me into doing something by waving around their clout, not showing me why I should be doing it.
I put this thread in the AS section because I'm an aspie and I feel that this is a common asperger trait. Perhaps it will benefit you to have some new perspective or words to express your frustration when people try to boss you around because they think they are better than you and that you are too stupid to understand the situation.
