Donald Trump is a current phenomenon. This American billionaire business magnate is dominating headlines. This bombastic investor, socialite, author, and television personality is the talk of the town. This 2016 candidate for President of the United States is leading in the polls. What can we learn from this man’s popularity and appeal?
In an article titled, “Why People Like Trump”, author Jack Schafer, Ph.D., writes,“People like Trump not for what he says, but for how he says it. Right, wrong, or indifferent Trump takes a stand.” (October 22, 2015). The world is desperate for leaders. The markets are hungry for confidence. Businesses are pining for people with courage. Take a stand. Improve your personal relationships and your professional career by how you say things.
Whether you like Donald Trump or not, here are three things you can glean from his success that people really like.
(1) Give Simple Answers. Explanations may be complex and layered. But people want simple, intuitive answers. Trump gives that. Washington Post writer, Jeff Guo, summarized Trumps sublime responses this way, “If you don’t like immigration, build a wall. If you’re suspicious of Muslims, track them in a database. If you support police officers, impose the death penalty on cop killers” (December 12, 2015). Clear. Easy. Understandable. Simple!
(2) Give Straight Answers. The world is already twisted enough. Don’t contort your speech. Don’t equivocate. Don’t misdirect. Don’t parse. Don’t pander. Shoot straight. Land the plane. Say it as it is. Trump does this. Jesus, himself, taught this, saying, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’” (Matthew 5:37). Direct. Honest. True. Straight!
(3) Give Strong Answers. Donald Trump doesn’t tip toe. He responds with force. Political correctness stifles speech; it sensors thought; it fosters fear. People are fed up and frustrated with PC talk. Know the facts. Garner the truth. Decide what you believe. And express the full weight of your thoughts without apology. Never hurts to have a little charisma, dynamism, and authority in your talk. Solid. Firm. Resolute. Strong!
Most of us don’t have a lot in common with Donald Trump. But here are three things we can align with him on. (1) Give Simple Answers. (2) Give Straight Answers. And (3) Give Strong Answers. Hope that’s helpful. If not, then as Trump would say himself, “Deal with it!” (ha!)