Conflicting Opinions – Lessons in Leadership from Trump Presidency
Strong and effective leaders want to hear conflicting points of view – including challenges to their point of view. They want to fully understand issues and options. Hearing and understanding other points of view is a sign of strength – not a sign of weakness.
Press reports of Pres. Trump’s leadership process are probably not completely accurate or in context, but what we know suggests he resists rather than embraces different points of view. Compare this approach with Pres. Kennedy’s approach reported in a seminal Harvard Business School case study on the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Kennedy led his team to bring out conflicting points of view, create real options, and make decisions.
Former Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly said recently he told Pres. Trump before leaving the White House, “Whatever you do, don’t hire a ‘yes man,’ someone who won’t tell you the truth…If you do, I believe you will be impeached.”
When Pres. Trump heard these remarks, he said, “If he would have said that, I would have thrown him out of the office.”
A president with a different understanding of leadership might have said, “I am glad Gen. Kelly gave me that advice. I think about it every time I interview the wonderful men and woman who want to serve their country by working in my administration.”
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman listened to a call between Pres. Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, the new president of Ukraine. A committee of 20 or more U.S. officials listening to the call compiled a transcript after the call. It was circulated to those on the call, and Col. Vindman suggested edits some of which were not included in the final transcript. Democrats in the U.S. Congress called Col. Vindman to testify about his recommended edits in an attempt to show the Trump White House was doctoring the call transcript.
When Pres. Trump was asked about Col. Vindman’s testimony, he attacked the colonel and threatened to release negative information about him.
A different leader might have said, “Everyone on these calls is encouraged to submit their perspective on what was said and the implications for their areas of responsibility. The State Dept. is responsible for compiling these comments, and they do a great job. I am grateful for Col. Vindman’s participation on the National Security Council.”
In the end, the leader makes the difficult decisions. But the decision is more likely to have a successful outcome if different points of view are considered, and the contributions of everyone participating in the process are validated.
Scientists, lawyers, doctors, and others whose professional careers are built on their being THE EXPERT have difficulty transitioning to the role of entrepreneur or leader of a complex organization. These leadership roles require management of the decision making process and not being the “I am the infallible expert.” Investors fund a team who can make decisions when the business plan goes off track and not an expert with a good idea.
My guess is we will see case studies in the future about Pres. Trump’s leadership style as an example of what not to do. My earlier blog on the staff’s role buffering the administration from Pres. Trump’s orders is HERE.
Brilliant Fall Colors in New England
Fall is a color washed spectacle in New England. Waves of red and yellow leaves cover the landscape and brighten our neighborhoods.
