Effective Leadership Through Persuasion And Connection

Jade Davis is the Vice President of External Affairs for Port of Cleveland, where he oversees government affairs, communications, marketing, philanthropic giving and more. With over a decade of experience working in policy and public affairs, including owning his own company, Davis joined Negotiate Anything to share his insights on what it takes to be an effective leader that drives successful teams.

Getting to Yes

Leadership requires a significant level of influence and persuasion - especially when seeking to motivate people to achieve specific goals. While his approach differs based on who he is speaking with, Davis has a strategy for every conversation.

“It’s making sure that they are experiencing me as a leader/colleague that leaves them feeling heard and is transparent in what is needed,” he shared.

While he aims to be clear in the vision and direction, he also recognizes the importance of vulnerability and the willingness to accept feedback and pivot where necessary.

The Evolution of a Leader

While confident in his approach to leadership, Davis acknowledges the journey that brought him to this position.

After coming to a crossroads in his career, he accepted that in order to get to the next level, he would need to explore and develop a new set of skills. His focus: to practice vulnerability and lead as a teammate first.

“Working in my early career to lead by willing to be a teammate first and foremost really helped me to take the next step in my leadership journey,” he said.

As he advanced into leadership, Davis realized that his mindset would need to evolve from that of a doer to that of a manager - something that can be challenging for many.

“In leadership your role is different. It’s still about getting to the goal but your role in getting to the goal is different now,” he explained. “You can have very talented people (very good product) that never quite reach their full potential because of the disconnect between these stages of leadership and how that changes.”

Remaining Curious and Authentic

As he sought to become better at influencing high-performance, Davis chose to focus on obtaining a better understanding of his team members. He prioritized curiosity (on who people are and where they want to go) and aimed to remain authentic in every conversation.

“One thing I’m always trying to do is figure out where you have been and where you are trying to go?” He shared, reflecting on how he remains curious with his team. “Where do you feel you can be best utilized? What is it that gives you the best joy?”

According to Davis, this approach has numerous benefits.

“You gain loyalty, you gain respect, but you actually gain a certain ease in the organization where people feel comfortable admitting where they may not have delivered,” he said.

Over the course of his journey, Davis has also learned that the right leadership or guidance can open our minds to possibilities we never considered.

“A lot of folks graduate and get a job and think ‘I know these things so I’m going to go do these things’”, he shared, “but you need leaders who are willing to say ‘have you ever thought about this or that?’”

He continued, “I didn’t even know that was what I needed until it was given to me. I don’t know if my experience would have been as fruitful for me or the organization if they weren’t those kinds of leaders.”

Remaining Open to Connection

When he started college, Davis didn’t believe there was a space to ask questions or learn more about what motivated those around him. At this point in his career, he encourages all professionals, but especially leaders, to remain open to connection through curiosity.

“The connection piece is just critical,” he reiterated. “I’m a firm believer that the more people you develop and the more people you help along the way can be very beneficial to you and your journey as well.”

Follow Jade Davis on LinkedIn or visit thortonbuckeyegroup.com to learn more about his work. To listen to the full episode, click here.