AUTHORITY IN ROLE
Taking Authority, Managing Boundaries, and Working in the Middle
Master authority in role through theatre pedagogy—taking authentic authority, managing boundaries from the middle, and balancing upward/downward demands—driving clear decisions, reduced role conflict, and effective leadership every mid-level leader needs.
What This Programme Is
Authority in Role develops leaders' capacity to take authority appropriately, manage role boundaries, and work effectively from "the middle"—neither above nor below but in the complex space of organizational leadership. Drawing on Susan Long's organizational role analysis understanding role as system (person-in-role-in-organization-in-environment) and authority dynamics (formal authority from above, psychological authority from self, authority from below granted by followers), this program builds authentic authority grounded in role purpose rather than persona, enabling effective boundary management guided by primary task.
Who This Is For
Mid-level leaders working from organizational middle
Anyone struggling with authority dynamics or role boundaries
Leaders needing to manage upward, downward, lateral authority simultaneously
Executives distinguishing role requirements from personal performance
Those developing authentic authority independent of position
Format
Highly physical and experiential using Stanislavskian role work, Johnstone status exercises, boundary theatre with physical demarcation, Forum Theatre, and hot-seating for authority dilemmas.
What You'll Develop
Core Capabilities:
Understanding authority as authorized, taken, and given
Working "on the boundary" of role with appropriate porosity
Managing authority from middle: upward, downward, lateral simultaneously
Navigating role conflicts and competing demands
Authentic authority grounded in role purpose vs. persona
Primary task as organizing principle for boundary decisions
Key Competencies:
Three authorities: from above (organizational), from within (psychological), from below (followers)
Role as distinct from person: taking the role fully
Boundary intelligence: too bounded, under-bounded, walking the edge
Middle position: managing pressure from multiple directions
Status work: authentic vs. performed authority
Theory-in-use vs. espoused theory regarding authority
