Zelenskyy & Trump – Give Before Asking - By Rick Williams
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President Trump met with President Zelenskyy and European leaders in the White House Monday after he met with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
I hope this process will lead to an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As you know, earlier this summer, I drove non-military supplies from Warsaw to Kyiv in Ukraine. I strongly support Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. I shared my experience with you HERE.
I speak and write about how to be a more successful leader. Giving Before Asking is fundamental to successful leadership and all constructive relationships. The meeting this week between Trump and Zelenskyy ended successfully and was a clear demonstration of the Power of Giving.
Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump in February 2025 was a disaster on live TV. Pres. Zelenskyy came to the meeting in combat fatigues and asked for military support with no acknowledgement or thanks for earlier US support. The meeting turned into a confrontation with Vice President Vance challenging Zelenskyy with “Have you said thank you once?”
My blog following that meeting, entitled “Getting to Yes – Trump & Zelenskyy” is a quick read on what went wrong.
Pres. Zelenskyy came to Monday’s meeting dressed in a suit and began with thanks to Trump and the US for its support of Ukraine and for working to end the war. He gave before asking. He gave his acknowledgement of America’s earlier support and Trump’s efforts to end the war. He gave thanks for the military and economic support the US has given Ukraine.
Yes, most US media described the change in Zelenskyy’s approach to Trump as simple flattery to curry Trump’s favor. Pres. Zelenskyy is fighting for his nation’s survival. This time, before he asked for Pres. Trump’s help, Zelenskyy gave Trump and the US thanks for years of help already given. If you want to win over your customer, your investor, your banker, your buyer, or your girlfriend, Give Before Asking.
Harvard Business School professors will write case studies about the Trump and Zelenskyy meetings and “How to Get to Yes.” You have already seen the case on TV. Use the key takeaway – Give Before Asking – as guidance for beginning the next conversation where you will be asking for something important to you.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
I recently climbed through Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona. The Canyon is a narrow, winding cut through amazingly colored red rock. Over thousands of years, perhaps tens of thousands of years, flowing water cut passageways through layers of multi-colored sediment. What was a seabed is now a dessert.
This picture of me in Antelope Canyon gives you a perspective on the scale as well as the beauty of what I witnessed. The Canyon is in a Navajo Nation Tribal Park. As a sailor from Boston, I had to carefully manage the 110-degree F dessert temperature and zero humidity. I walked slowly and drank lots of water.
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