On the one hand, Donald Trump has a three step process that gets him attention: 1) Insult someone; 2) Use the insult to increase popularity; 3) Repeat. The question is, how long will his “15 minutes of fame” last? I am guessing people will get bored in 3 to 6 months and social media will be on to something more interesting.
Love him or hate him, and there are few if any who are indifferent to him, Donald Trump makes a huge impression on virtually everyone who sees him perform; and he is ALWAYS performing. Among other talents, Trump is a master at exaggeration and perpetual optimism. When he is not insulting individuals or groups, Trump demonstrates a lot of positivity.
Is The Donald a Leadership Role Model?
In his current role he is actually refreshing; because of his bombastic rants on the political system that people are fed up with – he is anti-establishment, hence his appeal. His larger-than-life personality enables him to address the frustration felt by so many, with little regard for how it affects his reputation. In fact, he has nothing to lose. His main focus is and has always been his brand – he is doing his thing – and some find him appealing.
Trump is the quintessential American capitalist, with the spirit of a true entrepreneur who believes in the virtue and practice of democracy, with a never-say-die attitude, who is always looking for ways to leverage the intangible. Despite four bankruptcies surrounding his casino businesses (with another filed in 2014), he is considered a great businessman and his personal wealth continues to grow. His business philosophy is best described by the quote: “As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big.”
What can you learn from “The Donald” and apply to your leadership?
Why do I say you should, “Be like The Donald?” Do I mean you should you insult others to make yourself more popular? Of course not. Yet, I do believe you can help yourself to be a better leader by adopting the attitude of positivity, optimism, and expression that are at the core of Trump’s success: his belief in himself and his ideas, as well as his relentless focus on the goals he seeks to achieve.
For Trump, success is measured not by trying but by results: “In the end, you’re measured not by how much you undertake but by what you finally accomplish.”
What can you learn from Trump, his popularity, and communication and management style?