ince the early 1900s, food and nutrition professionals* have contributed to important advances in nutrition interven-
tion, nutrition research, food and nutrition policy, and food safety standards. Regardless of specialty and career path, the questions for the
profession—and for you as a practitioner—are the same: How will we make our mark and shape nutrition care for the future? What must we do to grow and promote our authority as trusted pro- fessionals? And how do we leverage that authority into dynamic leadership? Much has been written about authority, and many words are used to describe it. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines authority as “the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behav- ior.” As simple as this definition seems, the concept of authority is far more complex. In its multifaceted forms, authority is deeply
* Te terms food and nutrition professionals, registered dietitian nutritionist, nutri- tion professional, and nutrition and dietetics professional are used interchangeably throughout this book.