Fearing Authority?

Don’t. It’s as simple as that. You can choose not to fear those who have ‘authority’. You can choose to challenge self-appointed experts, if, (and there is a caveat), you feel it is an ethical & morally sound thing to do. 

The best people who have authority, or who are considered to be experts, have been the most humble and approachable and interesting individuals I have met. They have been entirely uninterested in any reverence I have brought into the room. What they have been interested in is finding someone who has a genuine fascination with their area of expertise.
True, secure-in-their-passion-and-purpose, experts, are a joy to be around. They are open and generous with their knowledge and have a delight in finding others who share their knowledge too. 
This is an authentic expert. They are a true authority in their field because that authority lies within their passion and knowledge, not in having power-over anyone else. 
It is the power games that can hold a toxic element within the holding of authority. Often power is misused in service of fear. If you are fearful it would seem to make sense to hold onto your power at the expense of the autonomy of others. This will certainly prevent them over-taking you! What it will also prevent is the collective development of knowledge, understanding and the generosity of sharing. It prevents humans from being their best-selves and being empowered to contribute all they can.
The first option is certainly an option once you have power or authority: but to hold others down to keep your own position, is a lonely and self limiting stance. To listen, to share, to explore and be curious about the thing you have a passion for, with others, brings SO much more to the dynamic and the process of discovery.
There is always “more than one way to skin a cat” so why would we let fear dictate our choice not to explore the whole terrain together….? Fear makes us selfish and stuck and lonely if we let it. When you know your value you can risk generosity and the payback is SO worth it!
Try a little irreverence…. it can be very rewarding. 
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