The Balance Point: Where Authority Meets Approachability

Leadership is a delicate dance between position and presence. Authority gives you the title, the badge, or the bugles but approachability gives you the trust, the influence, and the connection that makes leadership truly work. One without the other creates imbalance, and imbalance in leadership always leads to failure.

Authority: The Power of Position

Authority is the framework that defines responsibility and establishes order. It’s what allows an organization to function efficiently, someone must make the decisions, hold others accountable, and ensure the mission stays on course. In the fire service, authority might come in the form of a white helmet, a front seat, or a gold badge.

But authority alone doesn’t make someone a leader. Authority says, “I’m in charge.” Leadership says, “I’m responsible.” The two aren’t the same. Authority grants compliance; leadership earns commitment. A leader who leans solely on authority may maintain control in the short term, but they will never inspire lasting loyalty or genuine performance.

Approachability: The Power of the Person

Approachability is what humanizes authority. It’s the ability to be open, receptive, and available without compromising standards. Approachability doesn’t mean being everyone’s friend, it means creating an environment where people feel safe to ask questions, share concerns, and offer ideas without fear of reprisal.

The best leaders are both firm and fair. They maintain discipline and uphold expectations, yet they do so with empathy and respect. Their team doesn’t hesitate to walk into their office, ride beside them in the cab, or seek them out for advice after a tough call. They are leaders people want to follow, not just have to follow.

When Authority Overpowers Approachability

When authority overshadows approachability, trust begins to erode. Team members become silent observers instead of active contributors. They do what’s required, but never more. Communication becomes one-way, creativity dries up, and culture suffers.

Leaders who rely too heavily on authority often do so out of insecurity. They fear that being approachable will make them seem weak or indecisive. But the truth is the opposite: real strength is shown in listening, not commanding. The greatest sign of confidence is allowing space for others to speak, and still being able to make the hard calls when needed.

When Approachability Lacks Authority

On the other hand, approachability without authority leads to chaos. Leaders who are too friendly, too lenient, or too eager to please lose the respect of their team. Decisions become inconsistent, standards slip, and the line between professional and personal blurs.

Approachability should never mean abandoning accountability. Being liked and being respected are not interchangeable. The goal is to lead with empathy, not enable with avoidance.

Finding the Balance

The balance point between authority and approachability is where true leadership thrives. It’s found in consistency, when your people know that your door is open, but your standards remain firm. When you can say “no” without anger and “yes” without hesitation. When your crew can trust your authority because they’ve experienced your approachability.

That balance starts with self-awareness. Ask yourself:

• Do my people hesitate to bring me bad news?

• Do I respond more often with commands or with questions?

• Do I lead from the position I hold, or from the person I am?
  

The answers to those questions reveal where your balance lies.

The Failing Point

If your authority costs you your approachability, you’ve already lost your influence. The rank may still be yours, but the respect will quietly disappear. Leaders fail not when they lose control, but when they lose connection.

Leadership is not about being above your people; it’s about being among them. Authority may give you the power to lead, but approachability gives you the permission to.

So, find your balance. Stand firm in your authority, stay grounded in your humanity, and remember, your position makes you a boss; your approachability makes you a leader.