Leadership and authority are based on service to the community rather than institutional position.
Leadership arises as needs are discovered.
Leaders are discovered and recognized rather than elected or appointed.
Leadership is diverse, diffused, and situational.
Different people may lead depending upon how their desire, experience, and knowledge can be useful to the community at any occasion. NGs have no central source of authority—each group is interdependent, self-organizing and self-governing.
The mode of authority is based on a power that operates with others rather than over others.
The power to influence and be influenced (sometimes called Relational Power) trumps the power to dominate and control (Unilateral Power).
Neighbors are compelled and constrained by love (rather than rules, laws, contracts, constitutions, codes, written agreements or any other external authority).
Self-control is encouraged—including controlling the urge to control others.