Both articles we read this week discussed the concept of authority in writing, the skills that demonstrate it, and those that do not. The article “Reading and Writing Without Authority” by Ann M. Penrose and Cheryl Geisler discusses those who do not write with authority. According to Wardle (2010), authority is an intangible quality that individuals gain through institutions, which makes their pronouncements acceptable to the members of that community. However, it is a quality that needs to be maintained through the individual’s speech and actions.
We have all been in Alan’s position at least once in our lives. Alan was hired as IT support staff at a university. He was initially overconfident and believed he had the technical expertise required for the job. He even referred to himself as a systems administrator, which gave him a sense of power and authority. In reality, his behavior was seen as unprofessional, and other staff members found it difficult to work with him. Alan’s attitude was selfish and authoritative, making it hard for others to access his help. Alan’s email communication was too assertive and confusing for people to comprehend.
I can relate to this situation. When I worked at a staffing agency, one of my colleagues had the same position as me, but they acted very authoritatively. I understood that since I was new at the job, I thought that maybe I was not doing things correctly. But as time passed and I had been working at the job for nine months, I realized that my co-worker had a very authoritative personality. By the tenth month, I got a promotion, and I found out that she was three years older than me at the company and held the same position. She always made me feel like I was doing everything wrong, but as I learned, I started making more sales than her, which was satisfying. However, I felt miserable because every day, she made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for the job. I know that in our minds, the last thing we think is that we are authoritative or anything like that. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone has their own unique perspective and way of understanding things. Seeking feedback, especially in important positions like Alan’s, can be very helpful to succeed. “Teamwork makes the dream work” is a popular saying that highlights the importance of working together as a team to achieve a common goal. It how collaboration, cooperation, and mutual support can lead to greater success and accomplishments as a team.
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