by Dan Oswald
Like a moth to the flame, I’m going to revisit the subject of none other than Donald Trump. You can’t ignore that he is THE story right now. There’s no doubt that when it comes to Trump, emotions run high as we watch supporters and protesters clash—even physically—at his rallies. And there is no shortage of strong opinions when it comes to Trump.
Let’s forget about the politics for a minute. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, a Trump supporter or a detractor, he is an interesting study in human behavior. And it’s not just Trump’s behavior that is fascinating—it’s also fascinating how people respond to him.
Trump has said things that a vast majority of people would admit are, at best, politically incorrect and, at worst, offensive. Yet he continues to be the leading Republican candidate in the primaries. A large segment of people either accept what he says or excuse it because they’re tired of politicians who are afraid to say what they really think at the risk of offending some segment of the electorate.
But let’s look at Trump from another perspective. Many of you reading this are in a management position or have a role in HR. Imagine for a moment that Trump works at your company. In his role at the company, one of the following scenarios occurs:
- Your direct report, Donald Trump, has been invited to speak at an industry conference. At the event, he says something about the appearance of your competitor’s CEO, much like he did when he said about Republican presidential rival Carly Fiorina, “Look at that face! Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next president?!”
So he says from the podium, in front of hundreds of industry professionals, “Who would do business with that company? Have you seen the face of their CEO? He looks like . . . .” His comments cause an uproar that reverberates throughout the industry, making front-page headlines in all the publications that are most relevant to your company. As his manager, what’s your next step? - Your company’s CEO, Donald Trump, gets up at a companywide event and makes a comment about Mexicans very much like when he said, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. . . . They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
The next day, a group of your Mexican-American employees shows up in your office in the HR department to file an official complaint about the CEO’s comments. They were offended by what he said and feel disrespected by their company’s leader. As an HR professional, what do you say to this group of offended employees? And what would your board of directors do, if anything? - One more scenario to consider: Your employee, Donald Trump, is in a staff meeting you are leading. Another one of your team members has recently gone through a divorce after she found out her spouse was cheating on her. Trump makes a remark similar to when he retweeted, “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America?” The coworker is horrified and embarrassed that her personal life has been commented on in this way. What’s your next move?
My point is that comments we wouldn’t accept or ignore in most circumstances have become commonplace with Trump. And instead of the majority of people turning against him, he has been embraced by a large segment of the American population. Somehow these comments, offensive in the majority of situations, have left him admired for his honesty and bluntness. And I’m just looking for someone to explain to me how this happens.
I assume that most of us, if we had Donald Trump as our employee, would be addressing these situations and trying to curb his behavior. As his manager, we wouldn’t tolerate these comments, nor would we want him to represent us or our company if he behaved this way. But it seems that a significant percentage of Americans are prepared to nominate him to the highest office in our country, where he would represent all of us. And this continues to baffle me—and intrigue me. Go figure.
Everything you quoted is offensive if spewed by anyone and would be responded to by anyone who is in a position of consequence with disgust and a firm resolve to either “make a change” in the spewers future employment or their own employment and perhaps career choice! Of course if anyone working for the subject mentioned would only be offended if they had moral values consistent with universal values!
America has unfortunately changed definetly for the worse. The respect for one and other, the respect for authority, parenting lost communication with their own children thru advancement in technology, and sadly, immigration for Liberty died on Ellis Island. Now America is seen as a place to reap huge benifiets without working for them, the meaning of learning the language, hard work, achieving citizenship no longer is viewed as a badge of pride as it once was. Politicians arrange their own special pensions, health benifiets while continuing to cut them for the masses knowing that it will not affect theirs. We fail to fight war’s with out political correctness instead of steady deliberate resolve to win and keep our country free. Only in America can we have homeless United States Disabled, leg less, armless, blind. Etc. Ect, War Veterans laying in our streets begging for spare change for a sandwich, and DRAFT DOGERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE. whom ever is the next president should be the one who makes a law to remove Any politician at any time that after elected, fails we the people. America is in deep military trouble, we cannot afford to wait out long terms in office when our freedom here is being seriously threatened by people that want to behead all of America. We once had pride if our children wished to serve our country, to become a policeman, a fireman. Not today, parents warn against it. We see that the politicians will gladly send our kids to war, but shield their own. Where is the example? And after service, or worse, sacrifice, where is the gratitude??? I would welcome a presidential candidate /applicant with a long history of Military background with statesman attributes. If he served our country, the U.S. Government would bank roll his campaign. Today it’s all about the money. The richer the candidate, the better his chances. Without huge sums of dollars, and political connections, it makes it virtually impossible for a regular John Doe to run for president. Look at the circus we are seeing today? Our enemies are watching us devour ourselves.
We better wake up, when we fight and destroy a country, why do we then send them money to rebuild after the war??? It’s called War! They were trying to kill us!! Help our military with those funds! Terror is here America, England, Germany, Turkey, NEW YORK CITY. Here is the debate… SEEK AND DESTROY, before we are destroyed.
Your misrepresenting scenarios as do the media. I read your insight letter for personal insight into management not a judgement of political leaders and/or possible nominees.
I unsubscribed at your initial commentary and will do so with your second also.
We all know who you’re not voting for and we shouldn’t.
Respectfully,
You are right on, I have always been a Republican simply because I tend to adhere to old fashioned values however this guy is Terrifying. How can anyone let this fly even for a minute. I am baffled.
I am horrified at the prospect that Donald Trump may be the next President of the US. Are US citizens so uninformed or are they just so “angry” that they are willing to follow any political alternative? Either way the fact that he has so many followers is frightening.
Trump is a product of today’s sensationalism, i.e., the new “normal”. My belief is that we have become so bored, so numb, so (dare I say) spoiled that only the exaggerated, the profane makes us excited and alive, as it were. Combine that with the forced-upon political correctness, the false narratives, the lack of belief in purpose (spiritual or otherwise), and the engrained victim mentality and you have the perfect devolved soup; bitter, pungent, and bad for your health.
Perhaps you should also write an article explaining why people are still supporting Hillary Clinton who has lied to our faces numerous times, committed several crimes which get swept under the rug, and continues to garner support. This is what people are tired of and that’s why they are looking for someone who is NOT a politician. Donald Trump is not an employee (yet.) So, until he is, we can only voice our opinions with our votes.
I’m of the opinion that other countries are considerably less “politically correct” than we are forced to be here in the United States. It’s getting old and people are getting sick of it. Only certain people have to follow the rules of what you are allowed to say without being charged a racist or a sexist, two words which are thrown about far too liberally.
For eight years, we have been pummeled as a society by the left wing hacks. Politically correctness is affecting our freedom of speech. Our Constitution has been under assault by the current president. Additionally, groups such as moveon.org and occupy wall street took over America, where were you guys. Not a word from you. They vandalized property, committed acts of assault, rape, and many other crimes. Where were the rest of our conservative republicans? We voted the republicans into the senate and now they have the house/senate. They have not accomplished anything in Congress. No guts to fight.
We need people to fight for us. As a US Army veteran, I want our elected politicians to fight for our rights and defend this nation from tyranny. Donald Trump is the leader I have been waiting for. He will stop the insanity in this country. He will fight for us and make America Great again. I am glad I am voting for him. God Bless America
Veteran – US Army Rangers
3rd Bn 75th Ranger Regiment
Ft Benning, GA
Not being politically correct is one thing. Being offensive, crude, obnoxious, and a bully is totally different. He also lies as much as Hillary and every other politician.
Unfortunately, I worked for a CEO who was a bully. I can’t imagine what life will be like if this guy ends up elected President.
In the absence of leadership people will follow anyone who is doing the talking and right now Trump is speaking the loudest. Some believe that politicaly correct behavior has ruined this country so he is the new voice of reason.
I keep thinking we are living through an episode of the Twilight Zone. Rod Sterling could not have even imagined an America that has become so blind or delusional.
Donald Trump is a gross embarrassment to humanity. The reality TV crowd has been hypnotized by his bravado. However, the rest of the world has not and is watching this circus and wondering if this a sign of the collapse of the USA?
Let me start by saying “With all due respect”. First of all let me mention it is because we HAVE forgotten the politics, although it’s been more than just a minute, this administration had forgotten how a system of the people is supposed to work…. Being a Democrat or Republican is certainly relevant as well because although I do think that in the big picture we all have similar goals, but how we get there is so discrepant in thought… I grant it that each one of your scenarios would definitely require addressing, but most times the true content of the mention is unknown to us and presumably dismissed as ignorance on behalf of the speaker, therefore logic could prevail. Sometimes it takes someone willing to speak up to get the blood flowing in our veins again… My take on difficult employees has always been to look under the surface because somewhere there may be a hint of truth, embrace what could potentially change our environment, and receive dedicated buy in, by listening. People just want to be heard, and know that their contribution has value… Republicans are looking inward and blaming themselves for standing on the sidelines, we are tired. I am a retired veteran and I want to know that my personal contribution has value, and when I see people abusing the flag and feeling justified in doing so it saddens me that we’ve gotten to this point… Therefore I have the belief that “WE CAN MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”.
Our backgrounds and beliefs are also uniquely acquired by each of us individually, we all have our own story, and I think those stories are what we the people are relating to.. Mr. Trump is favorable with the people because we have been “ so browbeat by minority rules”. Now that having been said, many persons reading that would only focus on the word “minority” and would immediately (and in this context falsely) interpret that to mean an entire race, opposed to groups or minimal amounts of persons with the same beliefs . Mr. Trumps’ behaviors as you mentioned may not be politically correct and I think that a MAJORITY of people find that refreshing regardless of how he says it. I think that many people feel that he is not truly malicious in his true intentions, as many can relate to being put in a position to want to say something but feeling very stifled and have for many years. Many Republicans’ are realists verses dreamers, and have been in a fog of pixie dust. I don’t think that most Americans go out of their way to be insulant, but keeping up with what might be interpreted today as Politically Incorrect is just not the top priority on my list… The United States needs to get responsible before we end up like so many other countries. Donald knows what its’ like to be responsible for ones’ actions, to have Successes and Failures. Although sometimes reverting to childlike qualities when attacked, I think that may be on purpose, calculated to a point… I think his actual temperament is under full control and I don’t actually see him just going off on a rampage like others might think. As you mentioned most people who read this are involved in HR, so they should understand firsthand the bureaucracy and government encroachment that has been created by the current administration. The PEOPLE truly have not had a voice in years. Where we had tolerance of our fellowman and I thought respect for one another (regardless of our independent feelings or thoughts), I feel an outwardly oppressing imposition of arrogance by what may be perceived as a new entitlement class… I have never considered myself entitled to anything that I did not work or contribute to directly… We need to wake up and smell the roses and in my humble opinion “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”.
(Regarding the Last paragraph of your email)… Good try at a silent suggestion, little do we know but he would probably end up as the president of those companies as well, and we would end up working for him. Words I definitely live by is “Be careful how you treat people on the way up because you never know who will impact you on the way down”.
Not interested in your politics.
It is baffling – thanks for giving me a better word to describe the events around the man who may be the Republican nominee.
It was interesting to read your take on this and view Trump as a possible employee. Now let’s put out a call to Robert Fulghum to see what his take would be on Trump as an elementary school student.
I’d love to work for Donald Trump. I prefer to work for people that don’t waste time spin doctoring and tip toeing around every difficult issue. They are the people that get things DONE.
I have to say that I a bummed to see this policial opinion piece. I have subscribed for many years and have enjoyed your newsletters. I understand we all have a voice but using this forum may cause you to lose faithful subscribers if you care. The examples didn’t even seem relative to management since no one would think these comments would be accepted in the workplace.
Having said that I am embarrassed by Trump. I am embarrassed that my country is going crazy over this guy. I am disheartened by what the country I grew up celebrating is turning into.
Trump reminds me of Sheriff Joe here in Maricopa County, Arizona. He is a study in political and social incorrectness but has won election after election. He is brash and unapologetic. Prisoners in tents? Pink underwear for prisoners? Chain gang? He has done it. I really like the majority of what he has done. While you can’t compare a county sheriff to POTUS it makes me wonder if maybe Trump wouldn’t be a total disaster.
I read with great interest and thought I would give you some thoughts from my personal experiences. I am 55 yrs old and have been fired 4 times, one was a major career in healthcare finance, and have been spoken to much worse than Trump ever thought to speak to someone. I understand your viewpoints, but not everyone has the opportunities to work in high profile positions and manage employees on a day to day basis. I have never supported one political group over another, but I do vote in every election. Trump is definitely a live cannon, but don’t think that all the other candidates would say exactly what he says, if they think they would not lose votes and the popularity they think know they deserve to win.
The quotes that you have taken from Trump and put into work scenarios clearly would be dealt with swiftly in my organization and can’t by any reasonable person be considered appropriate in the workplace or in any other place for that matter. The problem is that Trump as a candidate is in his workplace but there is no HR manager to investigate, or put an end to these sexist, racist, demeaning, minimizing and misogynistic comments. The things that he says are not in a category of being “politically incorrect”; they are simply incorrect in terms of how to treat another human being. If Trump becomes the leader of the free world every company in America better hire additional HR staff because the work place will slide deeper into the abyss along with the country.
If your company were run like our government is currently being run, you would have absolutely no problem understanding why your employees would love Trump’s comments.
Thank you Dan for the terrific analogy!! It is so poignant and exactly my thoughts!! Trump is a sensationalist who is saying all the right things for disgruntled Americans that truly believe his “honesty” is going to make a difference. It will make a difference, but unfortunately, not a “good” difference. When candidates of his own party are making statements to the effect that “it’s just 4 years,” that is telling. For all of those that believe that Trump will “make America great again,” I say there is always improvements to be made, but relying on the President to do that job is a naïve. It takes all of us to make America great and by the way, it’s not so bad today!! Think about it! We have so many freedoms, liberties and rights that others do not have. Our President is a reflection of our society and I hope our society is better than the offensive and bigoted behavior demonstrated by Trump.
I am disappointed to see personal political opinions in a “business and legal resource”. The author of this article would be in violation of our company’s Code of Business ethics, if this were published within our organization of 25,000+ employees….not a workplace nightmare, but definitely someone who should use better judgment.
Mr. Trump does not report to you or me. If he did he would be reprimanded if he said or did something that we did not like or approve of. If he said or did something that we really liked and approved, he would be rewarded. In his position he answers to the PEOPLE and not to you or me. I think he is gaining more approval of the PEOPLE so he is being rewarded for what he is saying and doing. This reward is coming by way of votes and that is the desired effect of his actions. When you have been as successful with your action as Mr. Trump has been, then you will be in a position to judge him, but as I see things at the present time, you should probably just vote for one of the other candidates and not denounce what is proving to be very successful.
A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open.
I am in complete agreement with #8 Mike, #12 Mary, and #7 Jeanne. I am not completely convinced that Mr. Trump is who I want in the White House, but I certainly do not want Hillary. I am a Republican, recently retired, and a woman, but I can tell you I am sick to death of having affirmative action, political correctness, and whiney 20 and 30 year olds with no core values, who can’t think, and whose only skill set seems to be what they can do with their cell phones pushed down my throat. And let me also say, I am sick to death hearing about the “injured” parties, who scream if you look cross eyed at them. When did the liberal left become absolutely right about everything? That is what I am angry about along with a Congress that won’t do their job, but want to collect their pay and hide behind party lines so decisions can’t get made. Mr. Trump may not answer all the problems with America, but he is definitely send a warning shot. I feel strongly that the office shapes the man/woman and not the other way around. If he doesn’t work out or does major harm, he can be impeached. We have that process.
We have a very broken political system right now. We have two parties that refuse to work together to allow anything to move forward. If this were happening in a business we would be working night and day to fix this problem. But it isn’t happening in corporate America, it is happening in our political system. Rather than coming together to find solutions we are becoming even more divisive, we are becoming more violent and so many of us are more prone to believe that this is an all or nothing make or break situation. How did we get here and how do we fix this?
He has been able to connect with a certain population of people. These are good people that he has convinced that this 1 man, with no political experience (and a general lack of understanding of how our political system works based on the few things he thinks he can do if he become president) who by every indication and all outward appearances seems to be nothing more than a bully, is somehow going to make America great again. When asked how he is going to do that no one, not even he, can give a straight answer or one that makes any sense. But his follower blindly and in a rage insist that he can do it.
When someone makes vulgar, racist, and demeaning comments in a public forum that is not a lack of “political correctness”, it is a symptom of narcissism. Mr. Trump believes that he is better than everyone else. This is a dangerous situation we are getting ourselves into. He plays by his own set of rules. The vile, racist, hate filled remarks that come out his mouth about women make me question how any woman could vote for him. If someone took one of the comments he made about the female debate moderator or the tweet about Hillary Clinton and repeated it in the context of one of his daughters or his current wife can you imagine how he would turn the thing around. He would wonder what kind of sicko would say something like that about a beautiful and intelligent woman. He would probably threaten to sue the person and take everything the own, not because he needs the money but to punish them for being so disrespectful to his family. And when reminded that he had said the same thing about someone else he would deny that he ever said anything remotely similar about another woman. Sounds just like the people that #23 Beverly is sick of…No accountability, no core values, always the injured party. Consider how he has reacted to the violence at his rallies, he has more than encouraged the violence against the protesters at his rallies and now he is saying the escalation of violence isn’t his fault, he can’t control it, Bernie Sander’s campaign must have sent the protesters to cause trouble, I had to cancel my rally in Chicago because of these horrible protesters…… I would not want a person like this working in my organization and I most certainly would not want a person like this representing me as the president of my country.