The Donald Trump and Mahatma Gandhi models of persuasion

There could hardly be two more different people than Donald Trump and Mahatma Gandhi.

Trump is pompous and self-aggrandizing, and has a long history of tearing other people down to bring more attention to himself. Gandhi was humble and selfless, and focused his efforts on empowering others.

Here’s what the two men had in common: The ability to persuade others to their way of thinking. That’s what made them leaders.

Richard Boyatzis, a professor with the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, uses the two men as examples of different models of persuasion that grow out of different drives for power. Personal power is the kind that Trump exercises. Socialized power is the type that made Gandhi a historical figure.

Some years ago Boyatzis was quoted on the subject by Harvard Business Review: “Research shows that those whose drive is toward socialized power are the ones who make the most effective leaders, the ones who get promoted over the long term. The drive for personalized power often achieves short-term successes, but then blows out.”

Trump is an exception in that his power and persuasion has endured, despite ups and downs along the way. Most recently he has used his name recognition and media star power to catapult himself into a leading figure within the Republican Party. Current political polls show he is a favorite to win the republican nomination for the presidency, even though he is still deciding if he’s going to run.

Trump has also benefitted from being the head of his own company, giving him more control over his own destiny.

Naturally, it’s more difficult to get buy-in from others when pursuing personal power. One must convince others that their victory or success translates into positive things for those who help him achieve the goal. This is the case whether one is running for political office or competing to become the executive of choice to run a company.

Socialized power has more clear-cut benefits for those who support the effort. Gandhi’s campaign to free India from British rule is a good example. Convincing people to support you because your victory will be a victory for all is why politicians make promises of doing social good by cutting taxes, providing universal health care, or any number of widespread benefits.

The pursuer of personal power asks the question, “What’s in it for me?” Then he must engage in the gymnastics of convincing people that his victory is also theirs.

The operative question for the pursuer of socialized power is, “What will benefit and motivate society as a whole?”

Example. Hosni Mubarak sought to cling to his personal power by trying to convince citizens that Egypt would cease to exist if he was not the country’s president. The revolutionaries who opposed him spread the message that Egyptians would never have freedom and dignity until they were given the power to choose their own leaders.

Mubarak ruled for 30 years – and required force to do so. One would hope a genuinely democratic government could rule for much longer, without the use of police or military force against its own people.

Leave A Comment:

If you are already a member, please log-in to leave comments.
Not a member? Please register.
Have you forgotten your password?