
What Self-Awareness Taught Me About Persuasion That
Words Never Could.
Why do some people instantly command a room—without ever saying a word?
Most people think persuasion is about saying things better.
More polish. Sharper arguments. Perfect timing.
But the most influential people I know—particularly in conservative circles—aren’t always the
most eloquent speakers.
They’re the most self-aware.
Because genuine influence doesn’t start with presentation.
It starts with knowing yourself.
If you want to communicate with confidence and conviction, nothing accelerates your growth
faster than understanding what you bring.
Strengths. Weaknesses. Triggers. Patterns.
Not to fix them.
To use them.Influence Isn’t About IQ—Here’s What Matters
What I hope you’ll hear.
Influence at work—whether leading a team, presenting to clients, or defending conservative
values in a culture often at odds with you—has less to do with your IQ than you might think.
Yes, IQ helps. It’s great for:
• Analyzing data
• Solving technical problems
• Processing information quickly
But when it comes to leading people, building trust, resolving conflict, or inspiring action?
That’s EQ’s territory.
Emotional Intelligence.
The research is interesting.
Many argue that EQ is just as important as IQ if you want to be successful—especially in
your career (dovetail.com).
And it seems reasonable when you consider your experience with human communication.
What’s the Difference Between IQ and EQ?
• IQ helps you be right
• EQ enables you to be effective
Or said another way:
“IQ reads problems. EQ reads people.”
Professionals who balance both are rare.
Those who win influence in the boardrooms, courtrooms, or community meetings?
Understand EQ.The 5 EQ Skills Every Conservative Communicator Needs—
starting with Self-Awareness
Emotional Intelligence isn’t just being nice.
It’s about leveraging internal clarity to create external impact.
Professionals should focus on the five key EQ components, with self-awareness leading the
charge.
1. Self-Awareness
The foundation.
Self-awareness means recognizing your emotions, patterns, and tendencies—without apology,
without hesitation.
Why it matters:
• You can’t manage what you don’t see.
• You can’t lead others if you can’t lead yourself.
• And you can’t build trust pretending to be someone you’re not.
Daniel Goleman’s 1995 book Emotional Intelligence changed how we define and measure work
success. Expanding on Salovey and Mayer’s 1989 research, the pioneer Goleman argued
that emotional intelligence (EQ) was twice as important as IQ in determining career
success (Aicura).
That’s significant.
And it’s a competitive advantage.
2. Self-Regulation
Composure in action.
Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions under pressure—without overreacting or
shutting down.
Why it matters:
• Composed leaders build trust.
• Leaders who react forfeit it.High EQ professionals manage emotions like a seasoned investor navigates volatility, with
patience.
3. Social Awareness
Social awareness is empathy with insight, not sentimentality.
Strategic insight into what’s said and unsaid.
Why it matters:
• Connection requires attention.
• Influence requires understanding what matters to others.
In conservative communication, empathy isn’t agreement. It’s clarity.
4. Relationship Management
EQ isn’t divisive.
Strong communicators navigate conflict, adapt communication styles, and build collaboration.
Why it matters:
• Influence happens in relationship.
• Especially in business, law, or politics. People don’t follow titles. They follow those they
know, like, and trust.
5. Intrinsic Motivation
Perseverance comes from within.
Intrinsic motivation keeps conservative leaders pushing forward when the culture pushes back.
Why it matters:
• Influence takes time to build.
• EQ gives you the resilience to keep showing up.What Self-Awareness Taught Me About Persuasion That
Words Never Could
I once sat in a board meeting that had gone completely off the rails.
Tension was high.
Opinions clashed.
Everyone was waiting for someone else to back down.
Then, one of the officers did something that changed everything.
He admitted he misunderstood the issue.
He owned his knowledge gap.
He went first and led by example.
And just like that?
He allowed everyone else to drop their defenses and return to work.
That’s self-awareness in action.
Not weakness.
Leadership.
Because nothing diffuses division faster than humility paired with responsibility.
Especially in conservative leadership, where integrity still matters.
Want to Communicate with Influence? Start Here
→ Read the room
→ Value the relationship
→ Own your weaknesses
→ Regulate your emotions
→ Leverage your strengths
That’s EQ.That’s persuasion.
And it starts with self-awareness.
Not to become someone else.
But to become the most effective version of who you already are.
Because the most persuasive communicators aren’t perfect.
They’re present.
And they know what they bring to the table.
