Your authority is questioned by an executive in a team meeting. How will you assert your leadership?

“Challenge as Leader is to achieve a balance” and Team meeting is no more an exception to this rule. Leader to be ready to have all types of questions, including challenging the authority. Best way to maintain balance by leader is to hear out calmly the team member without any hint of defensiveness or aggression or rejection, it demonstrates leaders' control and openness to dialogue leading to resolve the doubt raised.

First facts and figures ! Where is the critic based upon. If only soft facts count then a 5 min time out for a face to face meeting is recommended. Whose result is then communicated to the other team members

You as a leader sets the example for all, it's important to maintain professionalism and stay composed even if comments are super edgy. Be a leader and understand the concerns and issues that the speaker is facing. Show your leadership by resolving those issues, that's the way of establishing your authority. Authority and respect comes when people see your value as a leader. Everyone should see you as a person they can look upon.

When your authority is questioned by an executive in a team meeting, it's essential to respond calmly and assertively to maintain your leadership. Start by actively listening to their concerns to understand their perspective. Acknowledge their viewpoint to show respect and openness. Respond with confidence, providing clear, factual information and examples that support your decisions and actions. Reiterate your role and the rationale behind your leadership choices. Encourage a constructive dialogue by inviting input from other team members, emphasizing a collaborative approach. After the meeting, consider addressing the executive privately to discuss any underlying issues and reinforce mutual respect and understanding.

* Acknowledge the Input: Thank them for bringing it up. Show you're open to different viewpoints. Example: "Thanks for raising that. It's good to discuss a different point of view."..etc * Project Confidence: Maintain good posture and eye contact. Stay calm

remember the golden words 70% listening 20% thinking/ assessing 10% talking is the way to really be actively listening and be able to contribute in a positive way

“Listening is an art to demonstrate that you care for team” – not by offering solutions or providing advice, but by acknowledging their view, specially when authority is questioned. Active listening involves more than just hearing words; it's about understanding the underlying issues and emotions. By doing so, you convey respect and show that you value their input.

Listening actively is not just a leadership skill; it's a cornerstone of transformational leadership. By truly understanding and addressing the concerns of your team, you foster an environment of trust and collaboration. This approach not only resolves conflicts but also paves the way for innovative solutions and sustainable growth, reinforcing your leadership and driving the organization towards excellence. Lead with purpose and vision, and watch your team thrive.

Amazon makes this easy to do via their Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit Leadership principle. This creates a culture of sharing different view points and coalescing around a decision once taken even when you might not agree with it.

* Recap Their Points: Briefly summarize their concerns to ensure understanding. * Acknowledge Their Expertise: Recognize their experience if it is relevant, to the situation.

Peter Drucker emphasized that leadership isn’t about exerting power but fostering trust and guiding teams toward shared goals. Asserting authority should not be authoritarian; instead, it’s about reinforcing your role and responsibilities. When questioned, gently remind the team of your leadership mandate and collective objectives. Highlight past successes and lessons learned to establish trust and validate your approach. This aligns with Drucker’s belief that leadership is about influence, not control, ensuring your authority is respected.

Clarifying intentions is pivotal in leadership, especially when authority is questioned. By addressing misunderstandings with clear explanations, leaders not only bridge knowledge gaps but also reinforce their strategic vision. This approach fosters trust and positions the leader as a thoughtful decision-maker, essential for driving intelligent solutions and transformative change.

“Effective leadership means embracing the fact that conflict has to happen”—but at last resolution with consensus. The problem-solving approach needs to be adopted, even when faced with challenges of authority, it's an opportunity for leaders to demonstrate ability to lead effectively under pressure and drive the team forward. True Leadership recognizes the value of the team around them and converts the opportunity to channelize all odd to productivity and results.

When your authority is questioned in a meeting, respond with composure and strategic insight., as advised by Harvard marketing experts like Theodore Levitt and Michael Porter. Asserting authority isn’t about being authoritarian; it’s about reaffirming your role and shared goals. Levitt’s emphasis on customer-oriented thinking applies here—listen to concerns and address them proactively. Porter’s focus on competitive strategy suggests highlighting past successes to reinforce your leadership. This approach builds trust, strengthens team commitment, and turns challenges into opportunities for progress.