Sometimes it comes from your rank or status, as the commander in that story obviously assumed. But sometimes it comes from something innate like the immovable nature of a lighthouse set above a cliff. That's not an easy question to ask in this day and age. Life has changed so radically in the last 50 years that what was taken for granted 50 years ago can no longer be assumed. Truth is all relative, we're told.
Authority needs to be earned.
Many of those of the older generations and some from the younger generations see no problem with that. The monarchy has served us well. The queen's authority seems indisputable. In fact a hereditary monarchy is seen by many as preferable to an elected leader because it's free from the risk of corruption and political bias. On the other hand, argue the republicans, an elected leader has an authority given by the majority vote.