Conviction-Connection Model

Conviction-Connection Model

In order to be a powerful leader, one must find the true balance between conviction and connection. According to the Leadership is a Balance of Conviction and Connection handout, conviction can be described as “having a clearly defined position and being both willing and able to communicate it.” In conviction there are two extremes. One extreme is known as “Rigid or Dogmatic Position.” In other words, it means to be narrow minded and only focus on your own idea and not the ideas of others. It is the attitude of “I am always right.” On the other hand, the other extreme is known as “No position or wishy-washy.” There is no conflict in this extreme and the leader becomes impractical and unreliable. The handout also states that connection is described as “the ability to listen, emphasize, understand, and care about another person’s point of view.” Like conviction, connection has two different extremes as well. One extreme is when a leader is being “over-accommodating or seeking extreme approval.” The other extreme is when a leader is “cut-off and avoidant.”

In my experience, I have had two different leaders that possessed different balances of conviction and connection. My current supervisor, Laura, is a supervisor for the Revenue Management department with an electric company and supervises 15 employees. As a supervisor she is supposed to be there to help guide us and be there for us if we need help with our work. Right now, Laura is very cut-off and does not want to help us. She shows great attitude and does not want to be bothered. In addition, Laura thinks that she is always right. If she firmly believes she is right then she will not even listen to other people’s ideas or opinions. Therefore, Laura does not have a good balance of conviction and connection. On the other hand, my previous boss was an insurance agent. His name is Dan and is the boss of about 6 employees, consisting of three service employees and...