Art Of Persuasion: A Leadership Analysis

For a leader to effectively apply the art of persuasion, they must have a solid understanding of human needs (Manning, & Curtis, 2015). By understanding employee needs and desires, a leader may tap into the core values and needs of employees and use those as drivers for the desired behavior. Beyond a solid understanding of people and what motivates them, a leader must be an effective communicator to engage the art of persuasion. The effective use of both written and verbal communication is necessary, along with the ability to tailor messaging to the audience. Finally, to become a master of persuasion, a leader must be skilled in the art of managing conflict in a way that allows all parties to leave the exchange without feeling a loss. One additional element that I would propose adds to the effectiveness of persuasion is the ability of the leader to create a sense of scarcity to drive the desire for their target outcome (Cialdini, 2001). By conveying scarcity or exclusivity, an effective persuader can pique the desire of the subject to acquiesce to the leader's direction.

I have an extensive sales leadership background which has provided me with extensive training in sales techniques which allow me to fine tune my approach when working to persuade others. I work very hard to connect with others and ask questions about their background, experience, and culture. As a first generation American, I believe that understanding one's background and experiences through their culture is a primary element of understanding that person and what drives them. Therefore, I ask questions and confirm understanding to make a connection, which in turn allows me to understand others. I would rate my ability to understand others as being a high skill