Chunk 17: Let’s play, rate that president!
Our guest judge for today’s edition of, “Rate that president!”, is Ms Doris Kearns Goodwin!
Over the past four decades, this Pulitzer Prize winning author has written more than half-a-dozen best selling books on American presidents, including Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson. Her title, “Team of Rivals”, even helped inspire the Steven Spielberg film, “Lincoln”.
Researching these novels, plus numerous other works, led Goodwin to write her 2018 study, “Leadership in Turbulent Times”, where she shared the ten lessons that she believed formed the basis of America’s most successful presidencies. So today, we’re going to compare Doris Kearns Goodwin’s advice with Donald John Trump’s actions.
Here’s how the game works: each time there’s a suggestion from DKG, just match it to the most fitting soundbite from DJT. No cheating now - unless it’s on your wife. And remember: have fun!
(1) Leaders grow, through adversity, humility and empathy.
“Nobody’s ever been more successful than me.”
"You think I'm going to change? I'm not changing."
“I’m very smart. My life has proven that I’m smart. I mean, I’ve had a life of success and I’ve had a life of victory.”
“The show is ‘Trump.’ And it is sold-out performances everywhere.”
(2) Leaders Have the Self-Confidence to Surround Themselves With Strong-Minded People
“I know more about ISIS than the generals do. Believe me.”
“I’m speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things. I know what I’m doing and I listen to a lot of people … but my primary consultant is myself and I have a good instinct for this stuff.”
“I did it anyway. I sort of didn’t listen to my experts.”
“The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!”
(3) Leaders Can Inspire and Motivate Others, Creating a Culture of Respect
“My IQ is one of the highest — and you all know it! Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure; it’s not your fault.”
“Do you mind if I sit back a little? Because your breath is very bad.”
“I’m going to put it very simply: The president of the United States has the authority to do what the president has the authority to do, which is very powerful. The president of the United States calls the shots.”
“Jimmy Carter used to walk off the airplane carrying his own luggage. Do you remember that? I don't want my president carrying - I want the freaking Marines to be carrying his luggage!”
(4) Leaders Are Ready to Take Full Responsibility and Shoulder the Blame for Their Decisions, Especially When Things Go Wrong
“I don’t take responsibility at all.’
"When during the campaign I would say, 'Mexico's going to pay for it,' obviously I never said this and I never meant they're going to write out a cheque."
"The buck stops with everybody."
“Today I am instructing my administration to halt funding of the World Health Organisation while a review is conducted to assess its role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.”
(5) Leaders Can Transcend Past Slights and Resentments
“Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!’
“When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn’t do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head.”
“Former Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is the world’s most overrated general.”
“Jeff Sessions was not 'mentally qualified' to be Attorney General”
“Secretary Rex Tillerson, a man who is ‘dumb as a rock’ . . .”
(6) Leaders Are Approachable and Accessible, and Establish Direct Connections With the People Around Them
“The concept of shaking hands is absolutely terrible, and statistically I’ve been proven right.”
“People love me. And you know what, I have been very successful. Everybody loves me.”
“A well-educated black has a tremendous advantage over a well-educated white in terms of the job market. … If I were starting off today, I would love to be a well-educated black, because I believe they do have an actual advantage.”
(7) Leaders Communicate Simply and Directly Through Stories—and Through the Media of Their Time
“There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news. The Fake News Media is the true Enemy of the People.”
“My use of social media is not presidential – it’s MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL. Make America Great Again!”
"You know, they use the internet better than almost anybody in the world, perhaps other than Donald Trump."
(8) Leaders Find Ways to Control Negative and Unproductive Emotions
“It makes me feel so good to hit 'sleaze bags' back — much better than seeing a psychiatrist (which I never have!)."
“Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”
“You wouldn’t believe how bad these people are. These aren’t people, these are animals.”
(9) Leaders Take the Time to Think, Relax and Replenish Their Energy
"I'm reading my own book again at the moment because I think it's so fantastic."
“How bad were the Academy Awards this year? The winner is … a movie from South Korea! What the hell was that all about? We got enough problems with South Korea with trade.”
“If I win I may never see my property — I may never see these places again. But because I’m going to be working for you, I’m not going to have time to go golfing, believe me. Believe me. Believe me, folks.”
(10) Leaders Transform an Ambition for Self Into Ambition for a Greater Good for All
“Always try to learn from other people’s mistakes, not your own – it is much cheaper that way!”
“One of the key problems today is that politics is such a disgrace. Good people don’t go into government.”
“If someone attacks you, do not hesitate. Go for the jugular.”
