Are you an Authority?

Finding Your Voice

I’ve been thinking recently of the way content providers/writers communicate with their readers.

When you as a reader are looking for answers to your questions, what type of provider are you hoping to find?

1. Do they speak with Authority?

Or

2. Do they speak with Authority?

I know it appears I’ve asked the same question twice, but from the dictionary I pulled a couple of definitions of the word “Authority.”

The first definition I came across is:

Authority:

“the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce Obedience.”

This definition has synonyms of power, jurisdiction, command, control, charge, dominance, rule, sovereignty, supremacy.

WOW.

That isn’t the way I want my providers to speak to me. Supremacy? Power? Dominance? If that is the relationship you have it's probably time to reconsider.

The third definition (the second is also good but doesn’t factor into today’s discussion) is:

Authority:

“the power to influence others, especially because of one’s commanding manner or one’s recognized knowledge about something.”

This is the type of authority I want to read. Based on “one’s recognized knowledge about something.”

Confidence. Knowledge. An expert in the subject.

When you are looking for answers to your questions, what type of provider are you hoping to find?

I know I’m parsing words, but I wanted to explore this idea in writing.

Thinking about asking questions and how those questions are answered is one of my goals.

When you’re seeking answers to your questions, what voice are you hoping to hear?

Do they answer in a manner of someone who has power or supremacy over you and assumes superiority?

Or do they answer as someone who is a knowledgeable expert on the subject?

I think this is an important distinction. When you are seeking content, I would expect the provider to partner with you in your success.

I want them to be an authority on the subject and not an authority who views you as the subject to be ruled who is lucky to be talking to them and assume all control in the situation.

As a reader this question has driven me to seek better content.

How about you?

This leads to a final ask of those of us who are readers and also writers.

When you create content:

1. Do you speak with Authority?

Or

2. Do you speak with Authority?