High vs. Low Intentions: how public servants can elevate the conversation
In last week’s post, Persuading a National Audience, I talked about the communication skills of great leaders. One hallmark of great leaders is that their overarching intention or purpose benefits others, mostly those with the least power. These are what I call, “high intentions,” as opposed to intentions that benefit the speaker, which I call “low intentions.”
For public leaders, examples of high intentions are:
To give hope
To help
To support
To elevate
To shine the light on
Examples of low intentions are:
To control
To convince
To extract
To impress
To belittle
To frighten
The PARIS HILTON RULE
Particularly insidious low intentions are:
To gain fame
To acquire great wealth
To have power over
These three might be the by-product of a high intention, but if they are the goal, watch out. The door is then open for a Machiavellian path. High intentions do not hurt others. Machiavellian low intentions often do.
This week, as we watch debates, ads, listen to those who want us to choose them, to vote for them, I invite you to listen for the true intention. Are these candidates wanting this role to serve others, to support us? Or are they there to extract something for themselves: riches, fame, power, adoration?
Next week, we talk about how the rest of us can elevate our communication. Yes, high and low intentions can help or hinder our every interaction!