7 Ways to Gain Authority and Respect as a Leader

7 Ways to Gain Authority and Respect as a Leader

By Mark Wager

Authority and respect are the cornerstones of effective leadership. Without them, it becomes difficult to influence others, inspire a team, or drive meaningful change. Many leaders believe that authority comes with a title, but true authority—the kind that earns respect and fosters loyalty—must be built through actions, mindset, and leadership style.

If you want to lead with confidence and have your team willingly follow your direction, here are seven ways to gain both authority and respect as a leader.

1. Lead by Example

The fastest way to lose respect as a leader is to demand a standard of behaviour that you do not follow yourself. True leadership is not about telling people what to do—it’s about showing them.

Your team will observe your actions more than they listen to your words. If you want them to be disciplined, you need to be disciplined. If you expect them to work hard, you must demonstrate a strong work ethic. If you value punctuality, you must be on time. Leading by example creates a culture of accountability and inspires people to mirror the behaviours you want to see.

A leader who holds themselves to high standards earns authority naturally, because people respect integrity and consistency.

2. Be Firm, But Fair

A common misconception about leadership is that being “nice” will make people like and respect you. While kindness is important, authority comes from being firm and decisive. Leaders who shy away from difficult conversations or avoid making tough decisions quickly lose credibility.

Being firm doesn’t mean being harsh or aggressive—it means setting clear expectations and holding people accountable. However, fairness is just as important. If you enforce rules selectively or play favourites, your authority will be undermined.

Fairness also extends to how you handle mistakes. Instead of reacting emotionally, take a balanced approach—acknowledge what went wrong, discuss how to fix it, and support the person in improving. When people see that you are firm but fair, they will respect you even when they disagree with your decisions.

3. Communicate with Confidence and Clarity

Authority is often linked to how a leader communicates. If you hesitate, second-guess yourself, or deliver unclear messages, people will struggle to take you seriously. On the other hand, clear, confident communication signals competence and inspires trust.

To enhance your communication:

• Be concise: Avoid rambling. Get to the point quickly and clearly.

• Speak with confidence: Even if you feel uncertain, deliver your message with conviction.

• Listen actively: Great leaders don’t just talk; they listen attentively and make others feel heard.

• Be transparent: If there’s a challenge or decision to be made, communicate openly about it rather than leaving your team in the dark.

A leader who communicates effectively earns respect because people appreciate clarity, honesty, and decisiveness.

4. Be Knowledgeable and Stay Competent

Respect isn’t just about personality—it’s about competence. People are naturally inclined to respect those who are knowledgeable and skilled in their field. If you lack expertise or fail to keep up with industry changes, your authority may diminish.

To maintain your credibility:

• Keep learning. Stay informed about industry trends, leadership techniques, and new developments in your field.

• Admit when you don’t know something. There’s no shame in saying, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”

• Develop problem-solving skills. Leaders who can analyse situations and offer solutions are more likely to gain authority.

When people see that you know what you’re talking about and can provide guidance, they will trust and respect your leadership.

5. Be Decisive and Take Responsibility

Weak leaders hesitate, overanalyse, and delay decisions out of fear of making mistakes. While careful consideration is important, indecisiveness erodes authority.

Respected leaders make decisions confidently, even in uncertain situations. This doesn’t mean making rash choices, but rather evaluating the available information and committing to a course of action.

Additionally, great leaders take full responsibility for their decisions. If something goes wrong, they don’t shift blame or make excuses—they own their mistakes, learn from them, and move forward.

A leader who takes responsibility, rather than avoiding accountability, earns the trust and respect of their team.

6. Develop Emotional Intelligence

Authority without emotional intelligence can lead to dictatorship, while respect without emotional intelligence can lead to a leader being too soft. Striking the right balance requires understanding and managing emotions—both your own and those of others.

Emotional intelligence includes:

• Self-awareness: Recognising your own emotions and how they affect your behaviour.

• Self-regulation: Managing emotions effectively rather than reacting impulsively.

• Empathy: Understanding the perspectives and emotions of others.

• Social skills: Building positive relationships and resolving conflicts constructively.

A leader who demonstrates emotional intelligence earns respect because they make people feel valued, understood, and motivated.

7. Be Consistent and Reliable

Nothing damages authority and respect faster than inconsistency. If you are unpredictable—one day approachable and the next day short-tempered—your team won’t know what to expect from you. This creates uncertainty and erodes trust.

Reliability is about doing what you say you will do. If you make commitments, follow through on them. If you set rules, apply them consistently. If you promise support, be there when your team needs you.

When people know they can depend on you, they will respect your leadership and trust your guidance.

Gaining authority and respect as a leader isn’t about demanding it—it’s about earning it. By leading by example, communicating effectively, staying competent, and showing fairness, you create a foundation of trust and credibility.

Leadership is a journey, not a destination. The most respected leaders never stop learning, growing, and improving. If you focus on these seven principles, you’ll not only gain authority and respect, but you’ll also inspire those around you to become better leaders themselves.

Would you like to enhance your leadership skills further? As a leadership coach, I work with individuals and companies in Fiji to develop their authority, confidence, and influence. Contact me at Mark@ali.org.nz today to learn how coaching can help you become the leader your team respects and follows.