The trustee and the risks of persuasive leadership

Boards of trustees are challenged to structure their leadership roles in such a way that they can help the institutions they lead to fulfill their potential. Coercion and persuasion are both tools that boards can use; but while coercion may be necessary in extreme situations, it is not useful for encouraging performance. Persuasion, as defined, is the means by which a board may guide an institution toward its highest possible performance level.