In some parts of the world, some people get accorded authority status based on unproven wealth they display – and rarely little else. I grew up in a society where it happened (happens!)…a lot. However, authentic expert authority is not achieved by “showing money”. It comes via demonstrating verifiable, value-adding competence. This article provides insights you can use.
What Does It Mean to Be Called an Expert Authority?
An Expert Authority is one who has – by his/her achievements/contributions in a particular field(s) – demonstrated that s/he is a value-adding leader in thought and/or action.
Typically s/he has over a period of time made significant impact on stakeholders in that field. They would formally acknowledge his/her competence, and readily make reference to him/her as a result.
This can be in professional fields, and also in everyday social life.
I’ll start by giving a “non-sensitive” example.
Nelson Mandela is widely recognized as Human Rights icon. His lifetime achievements – including many ideas and thoughts he has expressed – have made the lives of millions better, earning him countless awards.
Mandela is therefore an Authentic Expert Authority on Human Rights.
Anybody Can Show Money – That Will Not Necessarily Confirm Expert Authority Status!
If no means exists to verify them, anyone can make any claims s/he likes – and we would be incapable of checking to determine if it’s the truth or not.
In this regard, developed societies (where personal records dating back to your ancestors can be reliably traced) have an edge over less developed societies.
In such places, people know they can get found out if they make false claims. So they do it less blatantly. But some daring characters still do it 
Now, like I said at the start, in certain societies, some “clever” persons cut corners by “buying” authority status. This is typically done by giving monetary and other rewards to “corruptible” key players and stakeholders.
As a result, they get accorded formal attention/recognition despite having limited (sometimes no!) pedigree, and offering little useful value.
Here’s a potentially “sensitive” example…:-)
Imagine a person convicted of looting public funds while in office, a year ago, being given an award on Human Rights in the same country(or indeed elsewhere)?
That’s absurd. But it has happened…many times, in certain societies.
An award confers authority status on the recipient. S/he is assumed by others as being an embodiment of the values and ideals on which the award is based.
One would therefore naturally expect whatever s/he has done (and will do) to be consistent with what the award is about.
A dishonest – and unrepentant – former office holder, conferred with an award meant for persons who protect people’s rights from abuse?
That’s not authentic authority status!
Like I said, money can buy it in some places.
But where things work, that’s rarely possible.
Final Words: To Establish Authentic Expert Authority Status – Prove Yourself Worthy
As an expert in your chosen field, the best way to establish yourself as an authority is to record achievements that make it obvious that YOU ARE!
It does not matter what field you’re in. Start by getting necessary preparation.
Mandela did not need to attend Human Rights school (if anything like that exists). Instead he set a real goal for himself to change the lot of real people.
Then he went out to make it happen. And he put every fiber of his being into doing so.
It took him time, but he eventually made it.
It was however in the course of doing it, that he recorded many achievements, attracting recognition – that eventually won him “Expert Authority” status.
Just as this works in the non-professional field, so it does also for professionals in various areas of endeavors – be it paid employment or business/entrepreneurship.
That includes lawyers, doctors, and experts in all other areas of interest and focus.
To establish authentic authority status amongst your peers, simply record achievements – via your contributions – that show you are indeed worthy.