The Value Of Persuasion And Open Communication In Leadership

DON EBUBEOGU 

I was privileged to be invited by the Trans Nkisi Fitness Club to be one of their special guests as the Governor of Anambra State commissions their multi-million-naira recreation centre.

This group of forward-thinking youths has spent more than N500 million to set up a modern fitness centre in the fastest-growing estate in SE Nigeria.

This write-up is not about the fitness centre; they will have their day and flowers in due time. I’m writing this to share what persuasive leadership can help a leader achieve.

I have been an apostle of widening the tax net to attract more willing taxpayers rather than introducing obnoxious taxes that suffocate the few taxpayers on the government watchlist.

In a beautiful speech presented by the association secretary, he pleaded for road construction in that estate to give it the required facelift and ease the pains of driving into the estate, adorned by beautifully designed houses with poorly accessible roads.

The governor listened, nodded several times, and stood up to respond to their request.

He explained how the government gets money to execute projects and provide infrastructure to citizens through taxes. He mentioned the dwindling allocations from the federal government, from $40 million to $4 million. He drew a painful analogy of how Keke operators pay the government N8,000 as operational tax monthly. In contrast, the business people in the state who built all these multi-million-naira houses pay nothing as personal income tax to the state and yet expect their roads to be constructed from taxes collected from Keke operators.

The governor rolled out what he has done with his meagre IGR and what he can do if IGR improves. He solicited, persuaded, and offered to construct their roads if they partner with the government by contributing money for the project.

His offer was simple: set up a special account and contribute money for road construction to bring their vision to life. In return, the government will match their contribution and use the total sun to construct the roads for them.

The response from the Chairman of the estate was remarkable. He pledged that the 2,050 houses in the estate would contribute N500,000 each for road construction. This initiative, borne out of persuasive leadership, is projected to raise about N2 Billion from both parties for road construction in Trans Nkisi Estate Onitsha.

In that moment of connection, the governor pointed out that it is not just about building roads but a relationship rooted in the spirit of collaboration.

By sharing the fiscal realities faced by his administration, he effectively conveyed the constraints imposed by limited resources. His message resonated, highlighting a mutual responsibility to contribute to the community’s development.

This incident underscores an important lesson in leadership: the value of persuasion and open communication. Instead of distancing himself from taxpayers, the governor brought them closer by appealing to their sense of community and shared purpose. He illustrated that active citizenship means enjoying the benefits of good governance and participating in it.

Moreover, the assembly’s reaction revealed the potential for citizens to be stakeholders in their local government. When people understand how their contributions can directly lead to improvements in their lives, they are more likely to engage positively. This model of governance, rooted in partnership, can create a ripple effect—encouraging more individuals/estates to embrace their role in supporting government initiatives.

As the event concluded, it was evident that the collaboration initiated by the governor could pave the way for future projects. By seeking the community’s help, he demonstrated that leadership is not just about authority and power but about inspiring others to join in the mission of progress.

The Trans Nkisi Fitness Club may have established a pioneering fitness centre, but its true triumph was the newfound spirit of collaboration and partnership it ignited with the state government.

Imagine what Trans Nkisi will look like in the next five years if they continue with this partnership and contribute N500k annually for five years; ditto for other estates and layouts in the state.

This aligns with my broader call for progressive governance that embraces inclusivity and collective action, setting a precedent for what is possible in Anambra State and beyond.

In persuasive leadership, people are more likely to comply with a request if they feel they have received something in return.

As a leader, you can leverage a persuasive leadership style by offering support, resources, or recognition before making a request.

At Trans Nkisi, Governor Chukwuma Soludo converted more willing taxpayers than all the thugs, tax contractors, and party faithful have gotten with sticks, clubs, and obnoxious letters printed behind Onitsha Post Office.