Convictions are beliefs that we hold strongly to; those firm foundations that direct our lives and actions. Without convictions we cannot be efficient leaders; our steadfastness to our beliefs will permeate into our leadership abilities and the way we manage. Al Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; he holds a master's of divinity degree and the doctor of philosophy (in systematic and historical theology), and has authored over a dozen books. His goal in writing "The Conviction to Lead" was to, "Change the way one thinks about leadership. I do not aim merely to add one more voice to the conversation about leadership, I want fundamentally to change the way leadership is understood and practiced" (Mohler, 2012, p. *). .
The purpose of this book was not to add another voice to the many that are vying for the ears of the people, but to be a voice that changes the way we view leadership. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, conviction is defined as, "a strong persuasion or belief, or the state of being convinced" (Merriam-Webster). We have to be convinced that what we believe is true. Al Mohler's goal in this book was to persuade the readers to hold to their own persuasions, to have deep convictions that direct who and what they are as humans, as leaders, as managers, and as visionaries. .
Trials are those things that test the genuineness of one's convictions; trials show whether an individual will let the storm overtake them, or if they will hold strong to their beliefs and push forward regardless of the circumstances. Convictions, according to Mohler, are, "not merely beliefs that we hold; they are those beliefs that hold us in their grip" (Mohler, 2012, p. 21).
If we believe something strongly enough, those beliefs will hold us, and we will not let those convictions go. The premise of the book is to show that leaders and managers need to have convictions that guide the way they conduct themselves in their organizations.