Trump's chaos and self-inflicted leadership failure

It's important for those interested in leadership to look around at the things in our daily lives that help us understand success and failure in leadership. Donald J. Trump's run for the Presidency of the U.S.A. and his service in office provides one of the most interesting examples of leadership failure that historians, and particularly leadership scholars, will ever witness. Regardless of political achievements he may claim, his leadership failures have been largely self-inflicted, which by contrast to previous U.S.A. Presidents, other world leaders, and leaders in all sectors, makes him unique.

The routine chaos of the Trump White House has been evident in the revolving door of staff, asserted and withdrawn policies, conflicting communications messages, and declining trust in what he says among both devoted followers and detractors. The COVID-19 response in the U.S.A. is the easiest and most immediate example demonstrating failure, with the moment when he declared (and later denied) that injecting light or disinfectants in those who contracted the disease could be a possible treatment modality to investigate on April 23, 2020. At the core of this and other stupid things Trump has said is his privilege, privilege that has been debilitated by a) lack of exposure to diverse people, science, and life experience and b) the fact that he has not been subject to, or chose to ignore, criticism that could have helped him.

It's hard to accept Donald Trump as a tragic figure because he so visibly displays his privilege (witness the picture included with this post). How can a person whose NYC residence is a gilded cage atop the tower that bears his name - Trump Tower - be tragic? The tragedy is that Trump's lifetime privilege resulted in his constantly asserting ideas that make no sense but stand unchallenged by those who surround him and by escaping accountability for his thoughts and actions. Many Trump detractors have repeatedly said that he is a narcissist and lacks the character and disposition to be President. While this may or may not be a fair judgment, it is unnecessary. What's important is to look at the cause or causes for Donald Trump's failings; the core of his failure as President of the U.S.A. is privilege that has blinded him and power over others that causes them not to challenge or question him. For those who claim that Trump has people who push back against him, one only needs to review the bodies of those who dared to question him thrown under the Trump chaos train tracks. Adding to this, Trump's advisors have been unable to keep Trump from destroying himself and the people, organizations, and issues he has influenced. Chaos is part of the strategy, which is based on Trump's approach to media - stir things up on a constant basis so that your name is always in the headlines and discredit dissenters or blame someone or anything else when criticized.

Contrasting Trump's Presidency with four U.S.A. Presidents who are accorded relatively high marks, Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, analyzed the life experiences and presidencies of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. One thing they all shared was that they had experienced tragedy in some way that defined them. The individual behavioral characteristics that define these four presidents include: Lincoln - find time and space in which to think, anticipate contending viewpoints, set a standard of mutual respect and dignity, shield colleagues from blame, and keep your word; Theodore Roosevelt's 'embattled hero' view led to - calculate risks of getting involved, remain uncommitted in the early states, adapt as a situation escalates, be visible, cultivate public support, frame the narrative, keep temper in check, find ways to relieve stress, shared credit for success; for Franklin Roosevelt - infuse shared purpose and direction, tell people what to expect and what is expected of them, lead by example, forge a team aligned with action and change, address systemic problems and launch lasting reforms, stimulate competition and debate, adapt and change course quickly when necessary; and finally, for Johnson - make a dramatic start, lead with your strengths, simplify the agenda, know for what and when to risk it all, impose discipline in the ranks, identify the key to success, set forth a compelling picture of the future, know when to hold back and when to move forward, and celebrate by honoring the past and building momentum for the future.

These attributes stand in stark contrast to what is observed in Donald J. Trump. One has to conclude that privilege isn't necessarily the cause of failed leadership as witnessed in the cases of the two Roosevelts (both of whom were very privileged). What is different about all four former U.S.A. Presidents from Trump is their exposure to people and ideas outside of their privileged bubble and responsiveness to critique and guidance and ultimate willingness to accept responsibility for their decisions. There were those who thought that Trump would learn to be a good President, even though early conduct predicted otherwise. His unfortunate place in history will be one of failed leadership resulting from the blinders of privilege and arrogance.

Those who seek to lead, leadership scholars, and those who strive to develop leadership in others should take heed from the Trump example, considering the role privilege plays and how it can undermine success.