Management lessons from President-elect Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump

By Shenali D. Waduge

When Donald Trump became the Republican pick to stand against veteran politician Hillary Clinton, it was a foregone conclusion who would become the next US President. Take nothing for granted is not only a management lesson but a life lesson too and Donald Trump has embarrassed the bets beyond comprehension. That the unthinkable can be achieved was what Trump showcased. Over a year ago who would have thought Donald Trump would become the President of USA?

What we should not forget is that Trump is no politician. He was entering a new ‘career’ so to say. He was entering a new frontier. He was up against an experienced candidate well versed and with the entire system behind her. Trump’s entry was a like an experience-less candidate applying for a job against a candidate who had a colourful resume with full credentials. In the eyes of many everyone knew who the employer would employee. The voter was the employer and he thought differently. We look at the reasons why! 

Create a brand name people can rally behind

The winning slogan became ‘Let’s make America great again’. Of course part of the history where Americas belonged to the Native Indians has been expunged but among white voters this slogan worked in particular the ordinary, the rural and especially among the military who were now fed up being sent to invade and occupy nations. Branding and a good PR campaign do wonders. It was similar to ‘Take back Britain again’ which led to the Brexit vote. We can recall the good governance election campaign that led to the defeat of the previous government and how that campaign rallied people behind a slogan. 

It pays to listen to ‘everyone’ and expect the ‘unexpected’

A common mistake all people in power or those who come to power make is to forget the people who brought them to power. In the case of Trump he tapped the sentiments of people who felt left out. In workplaces the scenario is similar when management leaves out the sentiments of the lower rung of staff. When that happens the troubles brew from the bottom. A factor all managers and workplaces need to take note of. 

When the weather forecast is not 100% correct and astrologers are unable to predict the future we can safely say the future is unpredictable. When the victory of Hillary looked a foregone conclusion and she had not even prepared a speech in the event of a defeat and the ultimate outcome goes to show that even investors should not be too sure and it doesn’t pay to have all eggs in one basket. Perhaps that is why people donate to both sides of an election just in case! The next lesson is never be overconfident and Hillary Clinton found that out too late and managers shouldn’t make the same mistake.

Looks don’t 

always matter

It takes more than a pretty face they say and Trump became the oppositions favourite volleyball for a plethora of comedy – he was joked, he was poked, he was humiliated on TV, lots of money was spent on creating an image that he was too weird to be the President but in the end that did not matter to the voters. These factors are often at play even in most work places. However, companies are beginning to realise that it is brains over brawn that matters and Trump showed that you do not need to belong to any compartmentalised category to be selected.

Patience, Persistence and Perspiration

Donald Trump did not become what he is without trial and error. A lesson for us all is that not everyone is born with a silver spoon. Life is not a bed of roses. We are tested at every turn and it is in our hands whether we chose to take up challenges with patience, persistence and perspiration. Trump has shown that you need to love what you do, believe in what you do and always trust your gut feeling. It is in your hands to stay motivated. The journey of success is within reach only if you believe you can take the journey and continue till you reach the destination of your dreams. 

Companies may also like to consider the power of social media. Trump succeeded in galvanising voters and surging his image while also countering Clinton by pumping her bleak past. Social media gave exciting new things about Trump that people found new and refreshing – something to look forward to. There was nothing in the Hillary campaign to match this. 

The election was a big blow to the pundits, the know-it-alls like the political analysts, the pollsters, the forecasters etc. They all got it wrong. For managers it may be a good time to rethink relying too much on advisors, consultants and consultancy firms and do some legwork on one’s own and with one’s own teams. 

There are many lessons that companies and managers can draw from the stunning election win by Donald Trump. It’s good if companies take some time off to evaluate where they are, where they like to be and how to get there by preparing a unique campaign as Trump had done – with excitement, hope, hard work, inspiration and most of all the passion to win. 

The ingredients made Trump the President, 2017 can be chartered afresh by thinking afresh too.