Undermining Authority

Tue, July 15th, 2008 by Tom Foster

11 Responses to “Undermining Authority”

1. CAS says:

   7/15/2008 at 7:26 am

   I wouldn't think that an EXPLANATION of "undermining authority" would have to be given to a person who is already in a supervisory position. If that's the case, he or she shouldn't be in that position.
   In my experience I've found that when someone is undermining the authority of another (especially between supervisors), it is an intentional action and should be addressed directly.
2. Larry Stamper says:

   7/15/2008 at 8:37 am

   I have experienced this first hand. First off, when this happens, the upper management usually sees right through it. If it's not clear, a meeting should be held where everyone can voice their views and opinions. An honest team leader will share information, education and facts. The underminers will be tight lipped and give dishonest replies when confronted with their recent tactics.
   Honesty and truth will prevail as long as the upper management is fair and honest. In my case they were and the miners are now looking for a new mine. You must have faith in the intgrity of your conmpany's leadership in order to be confortable any of these types of situations that may arrise. Always convey the sharing of support and leadership to all of your subordinates and the bad seeds will weed themselves out.
3. Babs says:

   7/16/2008 at 10:58 am

   A disruption of the commitment to the cause is the undermining authority of it's leader. This is not necessarily something that occurs from another supervisor, sometimes it happens from within the team.
4. Andre says:

   7/16/2008 at 2:40 pm

   Thanks to everyone who have responded thus far, but no one has answered my question or given me examples. I don't know if I was unclear with the question I asked, but again the question is: What is the best way to explain undermining authority to a supervisor who is doing it to another supervisor? Also, can you give me examples I can use?

   Thanks
5. Lisette says:

   11/2/2008 at 1:49 am

   Undermining authority is when you are given a supervisory title but your manager that gave you the position allows one of your subordinates or anyone that should not have the power, to have the authority to overrule your decisions making it impossible for you to execute the duties of your position for the benefit of your department or unit instead of the hidden agendas of that individual allowed to undermine you. Example you want to hire a bilingual staff member that has great qualifications, certifications, education and over 10 years of experience. You are sending the hiring package to HR and this person in the office sees the candidate in your office and asks you what is that person doing there. You explain that is the candidate that you are submitting for the position in your office that is vacant and that will meet the needs of your customers and your office. Faster than a speeding bullet or cup cakes disappear at a birthday celebration in a school the opportunity of that person to get the position disappears because this person does not like people of that ethnicity in the office and this person has great influence and power given by the office manager over you. Therefore, the hiring is denied and the position is given to the second runner up which was the person that this powerful person the under miner really wanted there. The rest of your team sees this, and you know what happens they know now where the real power is placed and you are like a decorative king or queen, you have the title but not the authority and they will gravitate to that power like flies to the honey. It gets worse when the under miner is the ex spouse of your manager.
6. jim says:

   9/13/2009 at 5:34 pm

   in my opinion undermining authority is when you have given authority to an individual and you don't support the decisions that person has made. A lot of times the individual undermining the authority will go around that persons back to the other individual and tell them something different or tell them to do something different.

   example - the president of the company trains you a certain way then gives you the authority to make decisions - the owners wife comes in and wants things done her way - the owners wife only is at the business for 1 month out of the year. She lets everyone know that she is in charge and no body else. it makes the job very hard because you are accountable for results and you have been given the authority to make decisions but your employees know that if something happens they can call the owners wife and she will stick up for them and over rule and sometimes yell at them in front of the employee.

   weird example but
7. Tom Foster says:

   9/14/2009 at 11:14 pm

   Jim, yes, the example is a little wierd. But I am guessing you have direct experience. -TF
8. SS says:

   9/21/2009 at 3:50 am

   Undermining authority is when your immediate supervisor does what they think is right interferring in your area of responsibility oblivious to your feelings, job title and remit.

   These people display difficult behaviour but might not be difficult people. They can be described as 'outlaws' (ignoring company and business best practice); 'meddlers' (interfering because they feel insecure about an aspect of their role so to detract attention from their own inabilities - busy themselves with others work to feel important).

   For example, your immediate supervisor instructs your team to carry out tasks without your prior knowledge and forgets to update you, or publicly supports your decision or approach on a matter but privately does the opposite, e.g. you recommend changing a supplier for factual reasons and have proof, but your supervisor has the ear of upper management and doesn't support your idea thus discrediting you - creating extra work to manage your own reputation internally.

   Always very difficult to catch the underminder out. Best advice, keep your wits about you, when an instance arises of your supervisor undermining your authority address it with them privately and quickly. Cite the example backed by facts. Keep any emails or dates (descriptions) of when it happened and if their behaviour continues seek to meet with your supervisor's supervisor to address the issue formally. You then have a track record.

   It does require energy and distracts you from the job in hand but unfortunately this is a common scenario in the workplace and longer-term, you will benefit as a manager from the experience.
9. Sheena says:

   10/31/2009 at 12:04 am

   This is happening to me right now.

   It's a long story but to make it short, I've been in charge of a project for nearly a year. I go away on vacation and come back and rumors about me all over the place and my boss pretty much gave my project away to a couple of brown nosers.

   I confronted him about it and he still says I am in charge so I boldly take charge and I think things are going ok again until I find out both he and the project manager is undermining my authority behind my back.

   Not sure what to do about it at this point.
10. Cliff Stamp says:

    11/2/2009 at 12:49 am

    Sheena, are they issuing counter directives or simply taking responsibility for various aspects of the projects (usually the ones with the least work/skill required and highest/most obvious gains)?

    Have you had a frank discussion with the boss, not about this issue in a confrontation manner, but just concerning this project, centered on, but not exclusive to your performance and areas in which you can improve?

    If it is an issue where he is simply giving choice pieces of projects to those who survive on idle flattery, well that is not ideal, but on a long list of less than perfect working conditions that is pretty mild, though not aggravating.
11. Tom Foster says:

    11/2/2009 at 6:45 am

    Cliff,
    Your thoughts may be on target. Sheena will have to evaluate the reality of what is happening. If, indeed, these are minor pieces of the project, she may have found someone she can delegate more things to. You can never be promoted to the next level until you find someone to take over your current responsibilities.