Military Authority

Military authority refers to a commander’s power to command the three armies and is the foundation for establishing prestige and controlling the overall situation. If a commander can exercise military authority and grasp the momentum of the army to lead his troops, it is like a fierce tiger with wings—able to soar across the four seas and respond flexibly to whatever situation arises. Conversely, once a commander loses authority and cannot control the momentum of the army, he is like a fish or dragon that has left the rivers and lakes: how could it still hope to roam among the waves and play in the billows? Modern Application:The core proposition of this chapter is that leaders must possess substantive power commensurate with their responsibilities; otherwise, they cannot drive the team or achieve goals. In modern organizations, however, “military authority” is no longer limited to the formal authorization conferred by a position. It includes at least three layers. The first layer is institutional power—the decision-making power and resource-allocation power......