Questions
The minimum length of the paper is 12 pages (excluding the cover page, the executive summary, and the bibliography), 1.5 spacing, 12 New Roman font.
Description:
Analyze and discuss U.S. President Trump unusual reality show leadership style in light of the different concepts and approaches of leadership studied throughout the semester. The objective of the assignment is to develop an understanding of the effectiveness of Trump’s leadership locally, regionally, and internationally based on a clear argumentative essay backed by scientific evidence (concepts, theories, and approaches of leadership, articles, etc.) and examples from the news (e.g. handling of the Covid19 crisis, trade tensions with China, nuclear tensions with North Korea, etc).
Guidelines:
– Discuss how the concepts, theories, and approaches of leadership were applied.
– Discuss their positive or negative outcomes on leadership effectiveness.
– Analyze the interaction between the leader, the followers, and the situation and discuss how different situational outcomes were triggered by a right or wrong application of leadership concepts, theories, and approaches.
– Highlight how a better application of leadership concepts, theories, and approaches would have improved the leader’s effectiveness.
– Use examples throughout to support your arguments.
– Avoid expressing personal opinions if they are not initially backed by an argumentative essay and scientific evidence.
– Use high quality sources of information and peer-reviewed articles.
– Submissions will be checked for plagiarism by using SafeAssignment.
Answers
US President Donald Trump’s Leadership Style
Introduction
Although leadership is standard practice across the world, the management styles adopted by different leaders vary. While some leaders choose the conventional imperial leadership model that involves running organizations in strict adherence to the established norms and restricting interaction with ordinary citizens, other types of managers utilize a more radical approach that defies procedure, and the conventional management approaches. The rise of the latter, commonly referred to as populist leaders is a phenomenon that is dumbfounding to many, considering that traditionally, society expected leaders to espouse specific values and restrict themselves from issuing sensational statements that might undermine both individual and national image. In particular, the election of Donald Trump as US president in 2016 was somehow a surprise, considering he was running against Hillary Clinton, who many perceived knowledgeable in governance matters. Primarily, Donald Trump’s victory is attributable to his reality show type of politics that involve breaking from the established norms. The adoption of such a management style comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
Trump’s Reality Show Politics
The current US president, Donald Trump, has fundamental differences with the nation’s past leaders. Whereas the majority of previous presidents rose to national fame courtesy of their public service mainly in the military and elective posts, Donald Trump rose to national prominence due to his involvement in the reality show, the celebrity apprentice. Kumar & Arulchelvan (2015) contend that a reality show is a television program that gives the public access to the life of a well-known individual in an unscripted manner. Basically, such shows are meant to portray the life of the characters in an unadulterated form.
Characteristics of Reality Shows
Television reality shows have fundamental differences from other television programs. The excitement, originality and euphoria created by such shows explain why the genre is wildly popular, not only among Americans but across the world. Indeed, reality shows are among the most viewed television programs, and characters involved in such shows are among the most successful media personalities. For instance, members of the Kardashian family are wildly popular among Americans and across the world due to their involvement in the program, keeping up with the Kardashian (Edwards, 2012). Whereas it does not require much technical knowledge to come up with such programs, Kosenko & Layboy (2018) argue that producers of such programs should make sure to incorporate distinctive elements that are not accessible in other television programs. Accordingly, reality television programs should possess critical traits such as uniqueness, an extraordinary perspective and originality, i.e. lack of censorship.
Uniqueness. Ordinarily, the business landscape is competitive and thus, to survive, business operators need to adapt products and methods that set them apart from the competitors. By so doing, one can cultivate some advantages that are vital for creating a competitive edge. Just like in all other businesses, reality television requires producers and the characters involved to possess some unique skills that can help surmount the competition posed by other television programs. Accordingly, uniqueness is one of the primary features of such shows. Berger (2011) posits that in order to be unique, reality shows should present features and elements that have not been featured in any other show or the previous episodes of the same program. In addition, producers should ensure uniqueness by producing content that caters to the needs of all types of viewers; taking such measures helps cultivate loyalty among viewers (Berger, 2011). In general, reality television programs have a set of unique features that set them apart from other TV programs.
As a politician, Donald Trump has deployed the features and elements of reality shows to win massive support among Americans. Indeed, Trump’s journey into the white house was conspicuous and unique, a factor that played a crucial role in his victory. Unlike other contestants, the current president was an outsider to America’s political system, and for this reason, many commenters undermined his candidature (Ahmed, Bahoo, Aslam, & Qureshi, 2020). Indeed, his lack of political experience was evident in his apparent lack of grasp of the nation’s foreign policy issues and his somewhat archaic approach to the same. However, the lack of political experience did not hinder Trump from connecting with the electorate. Instead of concentrating on the traditional issues peddled around by politicians during the electioneering period, Trump captured the national psyche by advocating for America first policy (Rahyadi & Aras, 2020). Even after becoming president, Trump has continued to connect with Americans using unique approaches that are not in tandem with the traditional methods utilized by politicians.
Extraordinary perspective. One of the most conspicuous characteristics of reality television programs is their extraordinary perspective on different matters. Indeed, the majority of such shows deviate from the conventional approaches taken when filming other genres of film. For example, while characters in other television programs are expected to adhere to a particular script, individuals in a reality show are not bound by any specific method or script (Berger, 2011). They, therefore, can act and speak as they please. Besides, the characters usually demonstrate unique approaches to life, many times, deviating from the mannerisms and values that society espouses. Berger (2011) contends that the demonstration of unique values, mainly informed by the characters’ freedom to act and speak as they please inform the popularity of such shows. On the whole, reality television programs demonstrate unique approaches to life.
Unlike other past presidents, Donald Trump seems to advocate for an extraordinary style of leadership. Indeed, the president espouses peculiar habits that many deem unpresidential. For instance, while other past presidents relied on their aides for advice, Donald Trump seems to be his own adviser. Indeed, the majority of his decisions are seldom informed by other people’s input; he simply does what he believes in (Arias-Benavides, 2017). In addition, instead of relying on the established institutions such as the office of the press secretary for communication, Donald trump engages with the people directly, mainly through his social media platforms (Rahyadi & Aras, 2020). This factor earned him the moniker, ‘the tweeting president’. In sum, Donald Trump deploys extraordinary tactics, the majority of which contradict the established norms regarding presidential conduct.
Lack of censorship. Historically, society has always adhered to particular norms, mostly those touching on morality. Accordingly, in order to ensure morality prevails, society obligates people to act and speak in a particular manner. Indeed, the presence of such rules prevents people from engaging in activities that society deems unfit. Besides, the need to uphold specific moral values informs the move to censor content that has the potential to cause discomfort or perpetuate ideas that are not in consonant with societal expectations (Berger, 2011). However, unlike other television programs that adhere to such rules, reality shows demonstrate a high degree of freedom, allowing the characters to act freely without censoring their words or concealing their activities (Berger, 2011). Basically, in reality shows, the characters are encouraged to present their unadulterated persona to the audience hence creating a sense of originality. In general, reality shows encourage individuals to be real instead of self-censoring to meet certain moral thresholds.
Although the demands of the office of the president obligate one to act in a particular manner, president Donald Trump demonstrates a great desire to act and speak without adhering to the established codes of the office he occupies. Unlike other past presidents, Trump is not shy from expressing his opinions and pursuing what he believes in even when such beliefs have the potential to paint his image or his office in bad light (Bonilla, 2016). One of Trump’s most conspicuous traits is his desire to express his raw opinions in public without minding about the repercussions that his actions or utterances might cause. For example, the president often speaks ill about his political opponents. In addition, Trump has not shied away from castigating other countries and international bodies by using demeaning words (Bonilla, 2016). In general, Donald Trump does not censor his actions or utterances to adhere to some established norms; instead, he expresses his thoughts openly.
Leadership Concepts
An understanding of different leadership concepts is critical for one to conduct a proper explication of Donald Trump’s leadership style and its associated impacts. Generally, leadership models provide one with a firm understanding of a leader’s character and disposition and how such elements impact on leadership. Accordingly, two models, i.e. the action, observation and reflection model and the Five-factor or OCEAN model of personality will be integral in understanding different leadership traits and their impact on governance and a nation’s political climate.
The Action, Observation and Reflection Model
The action-observation-reflection model of leadership is one of the most common methods used in leadership development. Ordinarily, the model seeks to enhance a leader’s leadership capabilities by analysing three different processes, i.e. action, observation and reflection. In so doing, the model helps one to realize the consequences of their actions and reflect on the ways and methods that one can utilize to improve one’s performance as a leader. As such, the primary objective is this model is to ensure leaders learn from their experiences. The model acknowledges that while some leaders are naturally adept at reviewing their past performances and enacting the appropriate improvement mechanisms, others require formal education on the methods that can be employed to track progress in order to enact the appropriate improvement measures if the need arises.
Action. The action-observation and reflection model posit that actions or experiences are vital in the improvement of one’s leadership abilities. In this respect, the theory argues that actions (experience) provide leaders with different learning opportunities that are necessary for improving their leadership abilities (Reyes et al., 2018; Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). For example, managers of start-up organizations and those tasked with turning around businesses are exposed to significant learning experiences due to the wide range of initiatives that characterize such organizations. On the other hand, leaders of steady organizations, such as those with established systems have little to learn and therefore, their leadership abilities are likely to stagnate (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). On the whole, action refers to the activities that a leader engages in and which can be used to conduct reviews aimed at enacting improvements.
Observation. Observation is a critical element of leadership, and one of the three primary pillars of the action-observation and reflection model. (Hughes, & Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009) argue that besides taking actions, leaders should dedicate a significant portion of their time to observe the impact of their actions on employees’ welfare and performance. The authors aver that sometimes, actions can result in unintended consequences. For this reason, there is a need to review such actions to eliminate the possibility of achieving unintended results, especially those that have the potential to undermine the welfare of the governed. Also, Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy (2009) contend that leaders should observe their actions in order to establish whether there is task saturation. The authors posit that engaging in multiple activities makes it challenging for one to learn and perfect their leadership skills. Therefore, leaders need to observe their actions and eliminate processes that are not essential in the delivery of services. On the whole, observation helps leaders evaluate their actions and determine the priority areas.
Reflection. Reflection is a critical element of the action-observation-reflection leadership model. Generally, reflection helps leaders review their past successes and failures and their impact on society and those directly affected by such actions (Reyes et al., 2018). (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009) argue that reflecting enables leaders to think about the actions or methods that worked and their impact concerning fostering a more prosperous society. Besides, a critical analysis of past failures and the decisions that led to such failure provides a leader with an opportunity to enact the necessary corrective measures in order to avoid the negative consequences associated with their actions. (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009) caution leaders against deploying defensive mechanisms aimed at justifying or defending their failures, arguing that taking such actions hinders learning and ultimately impedes future improvement.
Trump’s Application of The Action-Observation-Reflection Model
Donald Trump’s styles of politics present him with a fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Whereas his reality show politics that allow him to connect directly with the masses has endeared him to specific sections of the population, evidence suggests that his choice of leadership does more harm than good. A critical analysis of his actions reveals a critical failure to deploy the principles of leadership, especially those espoused by the action-observation-reflection model. Several phenomena surrounding his administration point to a president who has, in many ways, failed to adhere to the principles of leadership. Discussed below are examples of some of how Trump’s reality show politics cause harm.
High Employee Turnover
The Trump administration has been dogged by massive resignations and a high employee turnover rate. Indeed, since he ascended into the presidency in 2016, Trump has seen the majority of his top aides resign. Gregorian (2019) argues that top administration offices in Trump’s Whitehouse have become some sort of a revolving door as employees opt to leave their high-ranking jobs. With a turnover rate of approximately 78%, the Trump administration holds the record of the US government with the highest staff turnover rate. One of the most conspicuous aspects of the Trump administration is the frequency at which top-ranking government officials resign. According to Gregorian (2019) by the end of his first 32 months in office, the turnover rate of Trump’s top aides had surpassed all his predecessors. Mostly, the president’s obsession with absolute loyalty even when it calls for his employees to take a different stand from his informs the resignations (Gregorian, 2019). Generally, Trump’s failure to review his actions, particularly his demands for absolute loyalty, even when there is a need for alternative opinions demonstrate his inability to utilize the principles of leadership.
Handling of the Covid 19 pandemic
Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic exposes the downside of his reality show politics and particularly his obsession with machismo. Presently, the US is one of the countries with the highest rate of positive corona infections and related deaths. Indeed, according to the centres for disease control and prevention, there are approximately 2248029 coronavirus cases in the US, out of which 119615 people have died (CDC 2020). Despite possessing intelligence on the disease and in-depth knowledge and understanding of China’s experience with the pandemic, Trump adopted a slow response (Strasser & Long-Higgins, 2020). In fact, he underestimated the impact of the virus. Strasser & Long-Higgins (2020) argue that the high number of Covid 19 related deaths is attributable to Trump’s slow response and inaction. Unfortunately, despite the apparent consequences of the virus, the president has continued to play the macho man, by failing to wear a mask in public. Overall, Trump’s failure to learn from the US experience and enact the appropriate measures necessary to fight the virus demonstrates the disadvantages of his reality show politics.
Pulling Out of The Paris Climate Accord
The move by President Donald Trump to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement is yet another indication of the destructive nature of reality show politics. Despite the advantages guaranteed by the agreement, such as a universal agreement to reduce carbon emissions and work towards a cleaner environment, Trump made good his threats to cancel the agreement, arguing that it was economically restrictive (McGrath, 2018). Generally, the president’s decision to throw such an essential agreement under the table, despite scientific evidence detailing its advantages demonstrates his inability to listen to good advice, all in the pursuit of personal desires and convictions. For example, despite overwhelming evidence on the negative consequences of coal, Trump’s administration promotes its use, further undermining the intentions of the Paris agreement (McGrath, 2018). In general, pulling out of the Paris climate agreement demonstrates the disadvantages of Trump’s reality show politics.
The Consequences of Interaction Between Donald Trump And His Followers.
Generally, leaders have a significant influence on their followers; therefore, a leader’s actions determine the actions and behaviour that their followers will portray. Hughes, & Ginnett, & Curphy (2009) argue that followers trust their leaders to guide them, and as such, society is likely to head the wrong direction if the former does not act diligently. The interaction between Donald Trump and his followers demonstrate how populist leaders can misguide their followers into actions that can undermine their safety and welfare.
People’s Reactions to The Covid 19 Safety Precautions
The reaction of Trump’s supporters towards the lockdown policies and other precautionary measures adopted to deal with the Covid 19 pandemic demonstrates the negative consequences of reality show politics. Unlike other world leaders, Donald Trump does not seem bothered by the coronavirus epidemic despite it taking a heavy toll on American society. In fact, instead of advocating for safe practices such as wearing a face mask in public, Trump encourages his followers to defend their rights claiming that the safety measures are restrictive; this is despite the negative repercussions of failing to adhere to the health and safety guidelines issued by the WHO (Shubber & Sevastopullo, 2020). Unfortunately, instead of taking an active role in the fight against Covid 19 and offering the right advice to his followers, Trump seems to be misleading them. For example, he expressed support for people demonstrating against the lockdown policies enacted by some states, arguing that such measures would undermine freedom and economic activity (Shubber & Sevastopullo, 2020). In general, Trump’s actions and ideological standpoint, especially regarding the coronavirus pandemic informs negative behaviour among his followers.
Improving Effectiveness: Application of The OCEAN Model
The right application of leadership models is vital for the improvement of Trump’s leadership effectiveness. In particular, the president needs to employ the OCEAN model of leadership, which is a leadership method aimed at enhancing a leader’s personality and leadership capabilities. Also known as the five-factor model, this concept involves openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Openness to Experience
Openness to new experiences is one of the primary characteristics of effective leaders. According to Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy (2009), a leader should be willing to learn new skills by subjecting to vulnerabilities. This means a leader should create room for mistake, which then allows them to think outside the box in order to find the most appropriate solutions to the present challenges (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). As such, to enhance his effectiveness, Trump should open up to learning, especially from his aides who most of the time, are experts in different fields. On the whole, Trump should be willing to obtain new knowledge that can help him govern effectively.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is one of the primary characteristics of effective leaders. Indeed, possessing conscientiousness traits enables a leader to avoid impulsive behaviour and act in a socially acceptable manner (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). The ability to avoid impulses is vital for objective leadership and particularly essential in the formulation of goal-directed behaviour. In addition, possessing this trait allows a leader to avoid instant gratification and ultimately read the benefits of planning and organizing (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). Accordingly, in order to avoid the negative consequences such as those witnessed in his approach towards the Covid 19 pandemic, Trump needs to cultivate conscientiousness.
Extroversion
One of the essential characteristics of effective leadership is the ability to socialize and draw inspiration from other people. Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy (2009) define extroversion as the ability to interact with other people and act upon the knowledge and skills obtained through such engagements. Whereas Donald Trump is naturally a social persona, he needs to open up to learning and utilize the obtained knowledge to make better and informed decisions in his approach to governance.
Agreeableness
Getting along well with other people is one of the essential characteristics of an effective leader. Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy (2009) contend that effective leaders cultivate good relationships with other people regardless of their ideological persuasions. This means that a leader should be able to interact freely and accommodate other people’s views, no matter how much their opinions may differ (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). Generally, the challenges dogging Trump’s administration stem out of his inability to agree with other people. In particular, the high staff turnover rate is attributable to his inability to accommodate other people’s views. As such, in order to govern effectively, he needs to be agreeable and allow other people to express their opinions.
Neuroticism
The ability to avoid neuroticism is one of the hallmarks of effective leadership. According to Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy (2009), leaders with neuroticism traits often find themselves in awkward situations, mainly due to their pessimistic and jealous behaviour. (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009) contends that such attributes impede one’s ability to appreciate other people. Besides, neuroticism undermines one’s confidence and self-esteem, therefore making it challenging to interact and agree with those surrounding them (Hughes, Ginnett, & Curphy, 2009). Whereas Trump’s election was an indication of his competence and high self-esteem, his inability to agree with and accommodate other people’s views demonstrate some sense of low self-esteem. Accordingly, to govern effectively, the president needs to be a little bit adventurous by incorporating different ideals in his leadership.
Conclusion
Generally, Donald Trump’s leadership style is fundamentally different from the management styles espoused by past presidents. In particular, unlike his predecessors, who adhered to the established governance norms, Trump utilizes a different approach that is informed by the principles of reality TY shows. For example, instead of engaging his followers through official channels, the president prefers using social media platforms, where people can access his unadulterated opinions. Besides, President Trump does not shy away from expressing his opinions regardless of how controversial they might be. For example, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump opposed precautionary safety measures such as lockdowns and restriction of movement, despite the advantages that such measures guaranteed in the fight against the virus. Unfortunately, Trump’s reality show politics have the potential to cause harm to his followers. It is therefore incumbent upon him to utilize the principles of leadership, especially the five-factor personality model in order to improve his personality and management method.
References
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