The Power of Communication

Use it for good

It’s important for leaders to have credibility.

Persuasion often involves emotional appeals.

If you are communicating to motivate, then you might choose to appeal to the emotions of the listener.

Please make sure you are motivating them into an action that benefits them and/or the team. If you persuade people using emotion into doing things that solely benefit you and your personal agenda, that is MANIPULATION. That is BAD. Don’t manipulate people.

You will lose credibility as a leader if you manipulate people. It demotivates them when they feel “played.” this can lead to poor morale and poor retention. You will lose people’s trust, since you will be seen as an unreliable source of information (so they cannot trust your competence) as well as someone with bad or selfish intentions.

Make sure that the facts and logic back you up, and that the actions you are trying to motivate benefit “the greater good.” If those are both in place, it’s okay to persuade people with appeals to their emotions.

(image source: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=734969408627759&set=a.482178513906851)