5 Things Donald Trump Teaches Us about Leadership
With over 12 million Twitter followers, principal ownership in over 500 business entities, as well as a Republican ticket to possibly becoming the next President of the United States, it is safe to say that Donald Trump has a thing or two to teach about what it takes to be a leader. And while many may disagree with Trump’s off the cuff style, it would be dishonest to say that he hasn’t built a foundation of strong leadership skills over the years of his life as a businessman and an entrepreneur.
It takes vigorous determination to set yourself apart from the rest of the herd. To become an effective leader, many qualities and characteristics must work in combination with each other. Here are some of the ways in which Donald Trump has become an effective leader over the years:
1. Donald Trump is a Risk-Taker
From his business practices and investments to his run for the White House, Donald Trump has taken risks that bring about change. He has taken the Trump Organization from a few hundred million dollars to $3.7 billion, investing in higher-risk, higher-profit deals.
He has also single-handedly changed the face of politics with his campaign-style this election year, straying away from the ever so inherent political correctness of most politicians and saying what he believes the right direction is to take regardless of who it may offend.
2. Donald Trump is Persuasive
Many disagree with Trump’s rhetoric, but it is in his method of speaking that he is at his strongest. He is clear and concise in conveying his overall messages in a way that effectively reaches his employees and millions of voters. And whether he knows it or not, Trump uses Aristotle’s proofs (ethos, pathos, and logos) in his mastery of persuasion, appealing to those he speaks to with logic, emotion, and credibility to gain their trust.
3. Donald Trump is Incredibly Self-Assured
“It’s going to be incredible, amazing – there’s going to be nothing like it.” This is typically what Trump says about anything he does or gets involved in, and though some may consider this behavior as cocky or arrogant, it is actually a key characteristic that has made him the success he is today. A strong leader must be self-assured to influence his team into following him towards the goal.
4. Donald Trump is a Team-Builder
Henry Ford was once quoted as saying, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” Trump may not know how to operate a crane or check someone into a hotel, but he operates dozens of hotels, buildings, resorts, and golf courses around the globe. How does he do it? He uses affective leadership skills and assembles teams of people who have the know-hows.
5. Donald Trump Works Hard
There’s no denying that hard work is contagious. Strong leaders lead by example and Donald Trump is a 24*7 workaholic. He is quoted as saying that he sleeps as little as “90 minutes to four hours a day.” While for most this is nearly impossible, for Donald Trump, it shows that if you are passionate about what you’re doing, then sleep can wait.
Say what you want, but over the years Donald Trump has developed himself into a global business magnate, a television personality and the Republican presidential candidate for the 2016 race. He didn’t just reach this point of success on a whim – he built a foundation of leadership skills and propelled himself to become the strong leader he is today.
