[February 9, 2017] Leadership means many things to many different people. But one thing we do know for sure is that leadership is getting people to do what they would not normally do in order to achieve what they want (or not want) to achieve. Persuasion, then, is a must-have skill for anyone who desires to be successful as a leader.
The military in war epitomizes this. Who would want to fight in war when the odds are you may die a horrific death, be badly injured, or psychologically damaged for life. On the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Confederate General James Longstreet opposed an assault on Federal positions on Cemetery Ridge because it was thought to be too strong for a classic infantry charge. General Robert E. Lee persuaded him to make the attack anyway.
General Pickett was one of three generals who led the assault under Longstreet. The attack failed and the massive number of casualties was to be the “high water mark” of the Confederacy and the end of large-scale attacks. My great-great-great grandfather was part of Pickett’s charge and fortunately for my family he survived the carnage. What we can take from this story is that great leaders can persuade people to do things they would not normally do to achieve an end they want.
“There are good leaders who actively guide and bad leaders who actively misguide. Hence, leadership is about persuasion, presentation, and people skills.” – Shiv Khera, Indian writer and activist
Persuasion is a key attribute of leaders. Many techniques are employed to successfully persuade others but most are based upon the leader’s skills derived from good character. Let it be known that people buy into the leader before they buy into an idea or vision. Leaders who fall short to take this into account in their decision making will find themselves failing often and unexpectedly.
Military Flag officers like Generals Lee, Longstreet, and Pickett possessed great personal skills, so their persuasive power was great. Yet despite their skills, the Confederacy was still defeated, thus the limits of persuasion. It should not be, nevertheless, underestimated the power of persuasion irrespective of the outcome.
Good leadership, therefore, means guiding others to achieve an end that is both right and honorable. Only through persuasion can this be achieved because it is the heart of the people that must be attached to whatever mission, task, or goal that is to be conquered.
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