Why Persuasion Isn’t a Dirty Word and How to Use It Effectively with J.C Abdallah
January 8, 2026
What does knowing how to build a loyal fan-community have to do with being an impactful leader? Everything, apparently.
In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with J.C. Abdallah, Ph.D., a quantitative researcher studying fandom and persuasion, alongside creative partner Bob Batchelor to explore why understanding fan psychology is critical to leadership, how to get your message to your audience (not the other way around) and the counter-intuitive truth about building lasting brand loyalty.
This conversation ties together two seemingly separate worlds - sports marketing and leadership - to deliver a conversation that is sure to get you thinking about the art of persuasion and how to use it effectively in your leadership journey.
What does knowing how to build a loyal fan-community have to do with being an impactful leader? Everything, apparently. In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with J.C. Abdallah, Ph.D., a quantitative researcher studying fandom and persuasion, alongside creative partner Bob Batchelor to explore how fandom works, why persuasion matters in leadership and how the psychology of community building applies directly to business and brand strategy.
What You'll Learn:
- The persuasion framework and the difference between ethical influence and manipulation
- Why brand loyalty begins in childhood and how long-term customer relationships beat quick revenue hits
- Why authenticity and visibility matter more than you think
About the Guest(s)
J.C. Abdallah, Ph.D., is a quantitative researcher and educator specializing in the intersection of sports, media and fan identification. With expertise in sports communication, persuasion and mass communication, Dr. Abdallah has conducted extensive research on how NFL and college football fans engage with social media and build community identity. His work demonstrates that understanding fan behavior and creating meaningful connections is not just about entertainment; it's a blueprint for C-suite executives and emerging leaders looking to cultivate long-term brand loyalty and organizational culture.
Resources:
- Connect with J.C. Abdallah
- Connect with Bob Batchelor
- Donald Thompson LinkedIn
High Octane Leadership is hosted by The Diversity Movement CEO and executive coach Donald Thompson and is a production of Earfluence.