I am going to make an assumption that you have at some point had to use the services of a professional. Perhaps it was a Doctor who you saw when you were sick. Perhaps a Lawyer when you needed legal advice. Almost certainly a teacher if you went to school. However, when dealing with a professional where does their professional authority end?
Think about that for a moment. I am a Pharmacist and I like to think I am a competent one. Not a great one, just a competent one. If you bring me a prescription I will evaluate the medication request on it. I will check for interactions with other medications. I will verify the dose and that it seems appropriate for your weight, gender, age, and disease state. I will also do my best to tell you about the medication and how to take it properly, store it properly, and so forth. I know that when someone comes to me they are putting their trust into my expertise. Trust is important because without it why would you bother going to a professional?
However, I work with a Pharmacist who is genuinely an excellent Pharmacist. I may not agree with some of the ways that he interprets the rules of the profession but I never doubt his desire to give the absolute best care for those who come through the door. He takes an active interest in these peoples medical conditions but also their family life, extended family, financial situation, their hobbies and much more. Now you may think that additional information is trivial and in many cases it may be. However, he will likely know if someone is due to go on vacation and need a larger supply. Know if they have strained finances and suggest less expensive alternatives that work as well. Find more "natural" sources for those who believe in nature first. Even better waterproof packaging for those people who love sailing and boats. Or perhaps two containers for children who spend time going between divorced parents.
I have seen him recognize people he hasn't seen in a decade. I've seen him say things like "Oh, so you are Jackie, I know your mom and your aunt...they tell me you love soccer..." even if he has never seen them before. It is really quite something to watch and very humbling for me as I know I could never emulate his sense of interest in other people and their lives.
As I said before, as a Pharmacist I'm competent, he is on another level
But what do you call that extra layer?
I asked ChatGPT because I couldn't really put a label on it. The AI came up with "Professional Regard", "Relational Trust" and a couple other that didn't really fit. However, do those terms really fit the scenario? I really do not know. If you know a good word please leave it in the comments below.
It's not friendship because he doesn't see them outside of work.
It's not mentorship because he isn't being a role model.
It's not really relationship because he isn't related in any meaningful way
It's not really Professional respect because they aren't recognizing him as an extra knowledgeable Pharmacist.
So, for lack of a better term I'm going to use the term "Earned Respect" which is again a poor term but its the best I can come up with.
Now I'll ask the question again: "Where does Professional authority end?" and I'm going to say it extends just as far as the "Earned Respect" takes it.
Let's take an example:
If I saw someone who was a regular in the Pharmacy and I saw them in a herbal products store getting something that I knew would be dangerous for them (ie. Ma Huang if they use propranolol) I would likely politely mention it may not be a good mix. However, if they were in a bar enjoying beer with their friends there is zero chance I'd say anything about a drug interaction with their medication. That is where I personally draw the line. Perhaps I shouldn't say anything at all outside of the walls of my job but honestly I want the best for anyone I was entrusted to care for.
The other pharmacist I know? He truly knows people and would never shy away from going up to say hello in any situation and help out in any way he could. I still think he would let a person enjoy their beer with friends, but then again, he may join in for fun. He has very different boundaries and in many cases he has earned it.
The Hive Learners community asked for posts about where does a teachers authority end? Does it end when the class bell rings?
Again I say it would end where the "Earned Respect" ends. Now I had many good teachers from elementary up until the end of University. Of course, many of the teachers were just there to present the course information and that was the end of it. It's been 40 years since I've been in school and I can guarantee I've forgotten the names of all of those teachers. Other teachers "earned my respect" in various different ways. Mrs. Marie: Grade 3. Mr. Hartley: Grade 6. Mr. Swetnam: Grade 11/12 Physics and Chemistry. Mr. Brown: Grade 12 English. Mrs. Burt: University Professor.
Each "earned respect" in a very different way. One because of her kindness and the interest she took in her class. Mr. Hartley because of his strict discipline but also because those who behaved earned extras (I got a book on birds and a day out at the golf range). Mr. Swetnam for his love of life and of Chemistry. Mr. Brown because of how diligent he was in teaching and making everyone in the class better. Mrs. Burt because she was very very smart but also very very human.
However, each of those teachers meant something. Their words meant something. Their approval AND disapproval meant something. If one of them told me something inside or outside class I would absolutely listen. Why? Because they earned my respect as well as my trust.
Now Hive Learners hates people using their post prompt in the article (at least I think they do) but in this case I think each point should be answered.
If the teacher hasn't got any earned respect with the student why should the student pay any attention to the teacher outside of the classroom.
Depends. Misbehaving takes different forms. If it is something bad enough that any concerned citizen should intervene then absolutely the teacher should intervene. (Students shouldn't mug nice old ladies without being confronted by concerned citizens as an example). However, if it is something minor? If there is earned respect? If it is something that an aunt or uncle would intervene in? Why not? A respected elder (teacher, uncle, aunt, etc) should help the younger generation to grow well.
Okay. Have to draw the line at discipline. A teacher should instill discipline in the classroom only so that there can be order and everyone can learn. Outside of the classroom? There is no classroom to keep order in, so there should be no discipline.
Pharmacists, Doctors, Teachers and others are still just people like everyone else. They are educated and ideally have the community interest at heart. In that regard, if they have earned trust and respect then they should act responsibly in gently guiding their community to be better. If they haven't earned respect? They have no say louder than any other regular person in the community.
Or perhaps to state it differently:
"Formal authority is given by jurisdiction. Informal authority is earned". Teachers are given authority in the classroom. Outside of the classroom? They earn it like anyone else.
Or perhaps you think differently? Either way I would love to hear about your opinion in the comments. In addition... Thank you for reading down this far to my Hive Learner post for the day :)
