Study in Orange and Black

In reaction to concerns about his mental fitness for the presidency, Trump has informed us that he is “like, really smart” and a “very stable genius.” From a leadership perspective, here’s what’s wrong with that:

1. If your constituents have concerns or reservations about your fitness, it is up to you as the leader to listen and to address the concerns using resources beyond your own denial. Even if you are right, and your constituents are wrong, their concerns are still valid. Saying the equivalent of “Nuh-uh! You guys are stupid!” fans the worry that you as the leader are disrespectful of others, intractable, and possibly, hopeless.
2. Comparing oneself to others, as a way to deflect the criticism, does not help. We don’t care about a previous president or a candidate you ran against a year ago. We care about what you are doing/not doing today; how you compare to Reagan or Hillary is irrelevant.
3. Trump’s assertions are completely lacking in humility. Where humility is absent, so too is the ability to learn. A leader who cannot learn has no real viability.

When a beleaguered leader responds defensively and aggressively to criticism, showing no ability to acknowledge and investigate the concerns, and dissing the people who have them, he is queueing up for a fall.

It is inevitable, and can’t come soon enough.