Even Though Your Leadership Was Overstepped, You Can Rebuild Your Authority

As a professional leader or supervisor, how you are perceived by employees and upper management is important. The rules of governance are often followed to maintain a level of hierarchy, but when your senior supervisors overstep, it's difficult to maintain authority. Learn how to rebuild credibility as a member of management with these strategies.

1. Verify Your Role

Many times, a professional leader deals with management overstepping boundaries because roles are not clearly defined. Launch a conversation with your immediate supervisor or the manager in charge to further clarify where you stand with the firm. For example, determine when and how you need to gain approval for budgetary expenditures or confirm decisions you are responsible for making without board approval. A conversation regarding decision making can also help board members or supervisors solidify leadership strategies.

2. Request Feedback With Authority

Maintain your role as a professional leader by rephrasing how you request feedback from higher authorities. For instance, show that you are capable of making decisions regarding leadership strategies by noting that you prefer feedback on a plan that you are presenting. Avoid asking for feedback on your approach to minimize any need for supervisors to step in and take over or question your abilities. Your communication should display your ability to show authority over the content of your report or expertise in the subject matter you are presenting.

3. Accept Differences in Opinion

Your supervisors may not recognize your position as a professional leader if you are not willing to challenge and also accept differences in opinion. Know that it's perfectly acceptable to voice your concerns in a professional manner, especially when receiving feedback regarding performance, policies or procedures. Offer justification for your business decisions, and provide support and examples that showcase how you make informed decisions based on facts. Ask questions, too, to fully understand why a supervisor feels the need to overstep or disagree with your procedures.

4. Display Confidence

Higher ups in your company may overstep or cross boundaries if they feel you are not confident as a professional leader. Grow a backbone and show that you are more than capable of leading a team to success or positively impacting the firm's productivity and profits. Carry yourself professionally when meeting with employees, supervisors and customers. Even though you may still be learning how to be a leader, you don't have to show it. Confidence speaks volumes every second of the workday.

Supervisors and managers all work toward a common goal -- to move the company forward. As a professional leader, you may encounter challenges with authority when supervisors cross boundaries. Maintain your credibility and authority by opening the lines of communication, defining your role with the company and displaying confidence characteristic of a leader who is determined and worthy of decision-making privileges.

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