Authority Is More Important Than Social Skills

Influence comes down to a person's level of authority. When someone is perceived as having power, status, and worth, others readily follow them and comply with them.

Authority isn't just a matter of position. It's also a personal quality.

When people attempt to develop their influence or authority, they tend to focus on learning social skills and changing their behaviors around speech and body language.

But my guest would say that authority isn't about what you learn but who you are, and that once you establish the right lifestyle and mindset, influential behaviors will emerge as a natural byproduct.

Chase Hughes is a behavioral analyst who trains both military operatives and civilians. Today on the show, Chase unpacks the five factors that measure someone's level of authority and produce composure, a state which resides between posturing and collapse. We talk about how so much of authority comes down to having your stuff together, why you should become your own butler, and what Andy Griffith has to teach about leadership. We also talk about the things that kill your authority, and how not to be influenced by false authority.

After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/authority

Resources Related to the Episode

• Chase's books:
  • Six-Minute X-Ray: Rapid Behavior Profiling
  • The Ellipsis Manual: Analysis and Engineering of Human Behavior
• Chase's app
• Milgram experiment
• "The Social Psychology of Imitated Jaywalking"
• Chase's Authority Self-Assessment Matrix
• AoM Article: The 5 T’s of Mastering the Art of Poise
• Becoming a Well-Differentiated Leader
• AoM Article: Never Complain; Never Explain
• Smoke-filled room experiment
• AoM Article: 8 Reasons You’re Hardwired for Sheepness
• The 34 Behaviors That Will Kill Your Authority

Connect With ChaseHughes

• Chase's website
• Chase on IG
• Chase's YouTube channel and The Behavioral Panel YouTube channel
• Chase on Twitter