(with ‘props’ to Elvis Costello for: “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?)
I am not surprised very much at all by the “reactions” of left-leaning people and media to President Trump’s Leadership actions and style thus far. I would like to offer some reasons for those behaviors. First of all, mostly all are in fact, “reactions” (as in “knee-jerk”) and NOT “responses” (as in “thoughtful”). Nothing can illustrate the difference between Leadership and management better than what President Trump is speaking about and what the left is (not “actively”) listening to but NOT really “hearing.”
Leaders always explain their “Vision” for the Future BEFORE such time arrives. Managers digest that Vision in the context of past/current references (by definition, all they can do). Since any Vision involves change(s) from a current situation (s), any change at all becomes incredibly uncomfortable for all those who cannot comprehend said Vision.
Just as a “creative” person does NOT have to be a talented artist who creates “art” but merely be able to totally appreciate the art’s emotional conveyance, it is similar with Follower-ship. One does NOT have to create the Vision in order to be fully inspired about where the Leader is ‘headed’ with it.
Change is one of the most terrifying events for Human Nature. Change can be “relative” on every level for each one of us. Most of psychology’s emotional “dis-stressors” are connected to our dealings with change. Death, divorce, moving, job loss, etc. requires us to adjust our status quo selves in some form or fashion and adapt to a new manner of circumstances. That is really hard for all of us whether it is a Billionaire having to accept becoming a Millionaire or an abused wife staying with her alcoholic husband rather than leave him for the “unknown.”
For some reason, we all seem to like the “devil we know” better than having to change to anything different. This, even though one of the most well-accepted definitions of “insanity” is: “doing exactly the same thing (not changing) and expecting a DIFFERENT outcome/result.”
Managers are particularly good at planning, organizing, evaluating and doing things ‘correctly’ in terms of objective and tangible measurements. After years of managing, much has been invested, and much is at stake with those efforts. In many cases, well-intended managers have paved their own ‘roads’ straight to “hell.” When a Leader emerges to propose/implement changes to any managerial “fiefdom,” it becomes very threatening to one’s own self-interests. At the very least, it is the tremendous fear of the “unknown.” Even good and empathic people might feel “survivor’s guilt” over the threats to others affected besides themselves.
Another thing that most people struggle with is “decision-making.” Managers get paid a lot of money to make ‘calculated’ decisions based on the highest probability of success (i.e., “playing the percentages”). Even with historical information, research data and situational testing, success rates are really far from perfect and that takes a thick ‘skin’ to continually make tough decisions.
I once heard an NPR (National Public Radio) story about Russian versus American decision-making. A highly intelligent and articulate Russian “worker” explained that to him, nearly all decision ‘outcomes’ were ‘six of one; half-dozen of the other.” As such, it seemed like an incredible waste of time/resources to discuss/debate things that really do NOT make any REAL difference except to one’s own ego and/or one’s political party’s ulterior motives. Therefore, he was completely happy to have/accept his country’s Leader to make any and all decisions for he and his country (Trump?). Since he thought it “unrealistic” to get EVERYTHING his way, he saved his ‘displeasure’ for only things that warranted “revolutionary” responses.
Athletes try to succeed (win) each and every time yet consider: the best professional baseball hitters FAIL about 70% of the time; the great pro 3-point basketball shooters FAIL about 60% of the time; really good pro quarterbacks FAIL about 40% of the time. The percentages are much, much worse for money-making: songs; books; movies; TV shows; Broadway and restaurants.
Leaders, on the other hand, usually do not have market statistics, opposing team analytics or focus group research. They do have, however, great instincts, strong intuition and possibly some ‘higher power’ that can’t be explained/understood. We either follow (as inspired by) those people or try to disavow them by killing, incarcerating, institutionalizing or just ignoring them.
In my opinion, many manager-types are using everything (including the “kitchen sink”) in and around Washington, DC to cling tightly to the ‘way’ it has “always been” (at least for generations). Donald Trump’s “Vision” represents the biggest existential threat to every status quo comparable to the likes of the Kennedys’ (to the ‘underworld’), King’s (to southern whites), and maybe even Christ’s (to the Jews).
To those of us who “get him/it,” Following his America First (not America ONLY) agenda make perfect sense in order to Make America Great Again! We are grateful for his Vision and Leadership, and we see clearly though all of the woeful attempts to justify the previous administration and mis-characterize his current ideas and intentions.
For example, so many people get rich on “wars” that, the idea of “World Peace” is a much ‘poorer’ alternative course of action for the U.S.. The industrial-military complex obviously does not count the cost of young American (or certainly not “foreign”) lives in their financial ‘budget sheet’ so, Trump poses a huge threat to their self interest (AND ‘pocketbooks’). Hell, they do not even count the cost of caring for our “veterans” upon returning ‘home.’ Otherwise, we would not even need to fund things like the “Wounded Warrior Project.”
“Sickness Care” is also a very profitable venture for millions, so the entire concept of “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA), is another big threat to the wealth and egos of the Medical “establishment.” We can say exactly the same for the factory owners who manufacture abroad, anyone who makes a ‘dime’ on illegal drugs (why they resist border ‘security’), any Human Traffickers (why they support illegal immigration) or those in any other illegal, immoral, unethical manner of doing ‘business.’ Managers are exceptionally good at rationalizing almost any behavior which makes a lot of money for them. I know because I used to be one who did it, albeit in pretty minor way.
Since Leaders (again, by definition), are placing the interests and welfare of “others” (including any organization to which they belong) before their own individual priorities, their actions seems to go contrary to Human Nature. Since much of Human Nature is focused almost exclusively upon self-centered: interest/benefit/preservation, most are naturally “skeptical” at the least and “clueless” at the most, of what-the-hell is even happening when a true Leader appears.
As a matter of further distinction, managers use threat, fear, incentive or bribery to “motivate” into short-term compliance (which is quid pro quo and ends when the quid ends). Leaders, on the other hand, “inspire” others to willingly and freely Follow for a much longer period of time. When the Roman Empire reached a state of “impasse” (like America now), they brought in a “Benevolent Despot” to act decisively for the best ‘course’ of the nation (not for individuals but for the Empire as a whole). So, instead of calling Trump “Hitler,” try calling him “Cincinnatus,” it will enable you to be considered more knowledgeable.
Therefore, I am not the least bit bothered or surprised that the “Beltway” has circled-the-wagons against President Trump’s agenda and will probably give up a good ‘fight’ before losing after four years in a “blowout.” Because you see, Leaders are not concentrating on planning, organizing, budgeting, assessing or motivating in the ‘now’ (BUT their ‘lieutenants’ are) but are ‘obsessing’ over the ‘truth’ for the long-term future. Much like “Christianity” Followed Jesus in a big way, I believe that MAGA will Follow Donald J. “Big Time” for an exceedingly long time. (Although maybe not 2 billion people for 2,000 years?). :o)