There are many unique elements about Donald Trump that enabled him to succeed in the job of President. However, most significant is the fact that few, if any, individuals lived as varied a life, ran multiple enterprises, and spent as many hours negotiating in situations where their own wealth was at stake. It’s safe to say that these experiences prepared him for the job in a unique manner, providing him with the type of flexible and adaptable skill set which proved beneficial in the role of Chief Executive.
A few examples, some of which may surprise you:
Dealing with Foes
Trump was often criticized by his willingness to develop personal relationships with Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong-un from North Korea. He honed this talent by negotiating with the New York bureaucracy and residents as a building developer in New York City. A famous quote from Sun Tzu (544 BC – 496 BC), author of The Art of War; “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Something tells me, Donald Trump is quite familiar with those words of wisdom.
Acting with Humility
Some may believe it’s impossible to place the words “Donald Trump” and “humility” in the same sentence. No one paying attention would state that Donald Trump is a humble man; yet, as President, it’s unlikely he or his emissaries acted brash, arrogant, or rude in their efforts to bring peace to the Middle East. The ability to nurture a complex arrangement between Israel and the Sunni Muslims required patience, respect, and effective listening skills. If the Trump team acted in the way their boss is often characterized and stereotyped, the deal never would have happened.
Status Quo Questioning
Donald Trump’s popularity took off like a rocket because he challenged many of the existing norms of 2016. These items included the role of illegal immigration, taxes, mid-east relationships, foreign trade arrangements, NATO, and how former Presidents selected Supreme Court Justices. Obviously, he was in alignment with a large swath of American voters because, even today, he’s probably the only politician that can fill up large stadiums at his rallies.
Possessing Street Smarts
As a Real Estate Developer and Builder in New York City, it’s impossible to get ahead if you’re basing your success on book knowledge and rigid formulas. When you’re dealing with politicians, community activists, race-hustlers, and labor unions you better be prepared to handle conflict, gain trust, and cut deals. After all, these groups have their own expectations and don’t shrink from protecting their fiefdoms or running away from conflict. If they sense weakness, or stupidity they’ll run over you. If they don’t believe you’ll follow up on commitments and promises they won’t do business with you.
Respecting Wisdom
Sadly, many Americans of all ages have come to learn that University education has become more about the dictated cause of the moment and less about timeless wisdom. It often seems eternal truths and common sense have taken a back seat to “hopes and dreams”. Since the founding of our country every President has been evaluated based upon an ability to deliver peace and prosperity. After a four-year track record, it’s pretty clear that the perspectives, insights, actions, and results of Donald Trump’s term rank him among the few American leaders who delivered both. This result never happens solely by luck and things fell apart quickly after a new administration chose opposite strategic directions and scores of policy reversals.
The bottom line: there is no certain path to successful leadership and every action is bound to spark different attitudes and opinions from people. However, in the end, leaders and Presidents are judged by performance effectiveness in the achievement of predetermined goals, expectations, stated priorities, and campaign promises.
Stew Bolno (MBA/EdM) earned his way through life as a self-employed consultant and seminar facilitator in the areas of leadership and team building. Like most people in business, he’s been hired, promoted, and fired. He’s studied, spoke about, and demonstrated the things that make for effective leadership during a professional career of over 50 years. His new book is titled: Leadership Lessons And You: From A to Z.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
I know President Trump and engaged in the real estate business with him in NY between 1976-1980. He is a man of his word. Even back then, he loved America. I enjoyed doing business with him as a real estate director with the the Great A&P Tea Company. I have great confidence he will win, but the media is a very real and treacherous group of anti-Americans and the Harris-Walz combination is very Marxist. We must get the vote out. Even in my very Blue State of MA, at the last Republican Town Committee meeting, we went from less then 10 attendees at meetings during the last election cycle to more than 50 participants last month. And this participation rate is showing up all along the South Coast of MA. Several towns are joining together to multiply our impact
All true and would be more effective talking points on the stump than crowd size or helicopter rides with Willie Brown or whether Harris identifies as Black, South Asian or both or whether Joe Biden will get back in the race during the Democrat convention.
Donald Trump has proven he is, strong and honest. He is who this country needs. I pray he will be elected.
#6: NOT BEING A MARXIST.
Being from NYC you learn at an early age on how to servive the concreate jungle. This is called being street smart.
Excellent article. Another reason to vote for President Trump is we had the most secured Borders in U.S. History and the Best Economy with Energy Independence on top of the Strongest Military in the World.
Also, the World was the Safest it had ever been since WWII. Not to mention that President Trump is the First and Only U.S. President to be nominated over 8 times for the Nobel Peace Prize by Heads of State.
I am definitely voting for President Trump. He puts the United States of America FIRST.
President Trump is the real deal he is what this country needs right now. I do not trust Harris and the guy that she picked for her running mate the ads here in Wisconsin paint Harris like she has done no wrong and she did nothing but great things for this country. These big mega pack groups are pouring millions in ads here to push her and that running mate like they are gods would never vote for her and the guy she picked for a VP I do not trust either one to run this country.
Good points but he has at least that many negative aspects. Trump is a Narcissist & will probably never change accept when he is acting. He has trampled & bashed many people and will never admit that he is wrong and will never apologize. Trump continued bashing the war hero John McCain up until his death & that taints his reputation forever. Same, he did not attend John Lewis funeral.
My PRAYER NEWSLETTER , has asked for 90 days of prayer for the USA for our country . At 4:14 AM or PM .. PRAY THIS PRAYER ” Jesus , I plead your blood over my sins and the sins of the nation , GOD , break the bonds of the wicked , reset the soul of our nation to your covenant , send revival to AMERICA & the nations . this will take us up to Election time .
Those are the qualities of a good manager, unfortunately they no longer are applicable today . We now have new standards. Ethnicity, diversity and many forms of gender. Those are new and only qualifications.