Dickson make this point in Chapter 8 and frankly it startled me a bit. While persuasion and humility may seem like inconsistent traits, think about our own leader, Virgil Gulker. Dickson points out that “persuasion is the leader’s ability to articulate and argue a position in a way that motivates others in the team to move in the new direction.” Dickson points out that people also lead by example as Virgil did when he headed up Love Incorporated. But without the ability to persuade, example alone will not get the job done.
Dickson goes on to point out that if people are to be persuaded toward something the persuader must appeal to a person’s head, heart, and social/ ethical beliefs if the leader hopes to win others to their point of view. Again, if you have ever heard Virgil speak, he does in fact appeal to all three of these not only by example but with compelling persuasion. Yet, all of this is done with such humility that one feels motivated because of the character of the one doing the persuading. Character, then is the final piece of the puzzle since without it, a person’s words will lack the authenticity that is so important if you desire to have others follow in the direction you are leading.
I believe none of these traits can be taught but evolve over a lifetime of allowing God’s spirit to direct us as we acknowledge our dependence on Him.