[Authority in military milieu, in management and in medical education]

In the democratic industrial society authority is no longer granted by birth, social status or office, but must be deserved time and again. Authority calls for flexibility, the ability to change between conscious integration into the team on the one hand and initiative combined with independence on the other hand. Conflicts have to be solved in a productive fashion. The superior or the teacher should overcome disturbed relationships by discussions. He should create conditions for successful cooperation and for learning by success. His staff must be given the opportunity to develop initiative and independence. In order to achieve this goal the person in charge must be capable of accepting solutions different from his own.