Dr. King gives his "I Have a Dream" speech to thousands of supporters gathered in the nation's capital at the conclusion of the civil rights movement's March on Washington. Photo Credit: TIME Magazine

This is the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The civil rights leader challenged the status quo. He championed unity as a means to an end in which all Americans are not bound by race or economic status but are valued as individuals.

But Dr. King lacked the authority that comes with an official position, whether elected or appointed, and could claim no clearly defined constituency. To pursue his dream, his only option was to lead without authority, and he did so in any number of unorthodox venues: the streets and roads of the American South; bus terminals; the counters of small-town diners; local, state and federal courtrooms; even a jail or two.

That he held no official position of authority did not stop Dr. King from leading. He led, instead, by exercising informal authority through a wide network of communities that allowed him to recruit, excite and inspire people about the possibility of a better future.

A leader gains such informal authority when he earns the respect of a diverse audience that shares a compelling sense of urgency to effect change and trusts his judgment. The force of moral persuasion convinces people that they want to be led, and, in return, they convey the power of their numbers on the leader.

At a minimum, Dr. King's sense of constructive impatience inspired many blacks of his day who saw a courageous man with the audacity to challenge an establishment that appeared to hold all the power and authority.

People who lead without authority know how to seize the moment and focus attention on an issue. They do not seek permission. They do possess an overriding sense of purpose.

But leading without authority is a dangerous expedition. The need to inspire and motivate often requires the oversimplification of complex issues and situations. In doing so, informal leaders also may underestimate
the reaction of formal leaders who are being challenged. When one leads without authority, those who have authority rarely will sit by and allow events to unfold.

For those with sufficient courage, leading without authority is a noble calling - but one that may bring unanticipated, unforeseen consequences.

Dr. King was assassinated in the middle of his leadership journey. His efforts to transform a divided nation were interrupted, cut short. Yet, he succeeded in transforming an ideal into a cause that ultimately yielded remarkable results.

The tradition of leading without authority continues today. We see it in people who champion noble causes, who are not content with things as they are, who believe passionately in what they are doing and are undeterred by cynicism and fear.

I believe that everyone ultimately gets the opportunity to lead without authority. It comes at that moment when we are asked to step up to the plate and say "I will stand for what is right," when principle becomes something more than a word or an abstraction, when we understand Dr. King's conviction that the future belongs to those who can see it.

In his celebrated "I Have A Dream" conversation with America, Dr. King gave us a blueprint for how to lead and assured us that the power to do so resides within each of us. His inspiration lay in showing us how to lead from where we are and in reminding us that leadership is exercised best for a just cause. He showed us, in other words, how to transform society.

As we celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I urge you to remember that he taught us to not be afraid to lead and that we are not obliged to accept the status quo. He challenged us to look beyond our present and to create a greater future. He proved that we all can lead without authority.

Benjamin Ola. Akande is dean of the School of Business and Technology at Webster University.

E-mail: akandeb@webster.edu

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