Jiang Ziya "Six Secret Teachings" Art Of War: Do Not Share Your Power Of Authority

Jiang Ziya Six Secret Teachings on Power and Influence

In his military classic, "Six Secret Teachings," Jiang Ziya believes that every leader should guard his authority.

Don’t give away any part of your authority to make your job easier. If you do, you could lose your authority and possibly your leadership position.

According to the Art of War, military strategist and advisor Jiang Ziya, in his book Six Secret Teachings, said,

Do not delegate the power of governing to others; by delegating the power to others, the ruler will lose his authority.

On the positive side, delegating authority can simplify your workload and free up time for other responsibilities.

However, delegating your authority can have long-lasting consequences. When you entrust your authority to someone else, you are letting go a part of your control and influence.

Allowing others to make decisions on your behalf can lead to a loss of control and feelings of powerlessness, potentially fostering dependency.

If you later decide to reclaim your authority, the person to whom you delegated it may be reluctant to return that power.

While it may be easy to delegate your authority, reclaiming it is often much more challenging.

What Happens if the Individual Resists Returning your Power of Authority?

Delegating authority can be particularly challenging, as those to whom you have entrusted power may resist giving it back or may become accustomed to their new roles.

Regaining authority can be a complex task. After reclaiming control, the individual to whom you delegated authority may find themselves in a difficult situation, potentially leading to resentment between you, as the leader, and that person. This individual might resist your decision out of anger and could even question your authority.

When you grant someone else authority, they may aspire to take your position or challenge your power. This can occur due to their ambition, competitiveness, or differing leadership ideas.

Your power of authority is your privilege, and it is not to be shared or delegated. If you want to stay in power, keep it to yourself.

Learn The Art Of War.