People follow the person first
Followed by their message,
The wisest leader knows the truth
That gives them greatest leverage.
Yet the greatest leader in history showed
The message makes the man,
And helping all in love and grace
Will gather every clan.
I used to believe that a person's message was the main thing. I used to see that all leaders were fallible and therefore, it is best to glean the best part of people's message whilst not being influenced by the person. However, I now realise this is a minority thinking; most people follow the person first...their message is secondary. If you seek maximum influence, your contact with people should be peppered with love and grace. Your conversation should be "seasoned with salt". Once you have their attention red carpetted by love, only then will they listen to your message.