[July 15, 2018] As noted previously, I began a new blog thread to give a brief summary of leadership topics I like but could not get into sufficient detail. The clearing the spindle post today focuses on this being the year of insults.
Good leaders don’t insult others … mostly. The primary job of any leader is to bring people together for a common goal. They do this in many ways but those leaders don’t have to bring everybody together, just most of them. In the news over the past few days, we witnessed U.S. President Trump at the NATO summit managing to “insult” several allied leaders for not doing enough for their own defense. As I noted before (link here), there is a delegate line between speech that brings folks together and that pushes them apart. In this example, I think Trump has the upper hand and will get what he wants from the summit and that is for other nations to pay more for their own national defense. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/07/11/at-nato-summit-trump-is-standing-up-for-fair-treatment-for-america.html
Calling on Pocahontas. U.S. President Trump sure does know how to make the news. One way he really gets the media spun up is by insulting other politicians. His favorite today is U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren who lied about her Indian heritage for personal gain. Although she denied it, anyone paying attention knows she is lying. So, notwithstanding the rule-breaking habit of Trump, he called her Pocahontas in reference to her heritage and thereby reminding others of it very successfully. All he has to do is say the word “Pocahontas” and the media and his political enemies go wild. Trump’s supporters love him for it. https://www.redstate.com/alexparker/2018/07/07/trump-pocahontas-elizabeth-warren-million-dollars/
Promoting divisiveness. The greatest risk of insults is that it generates divisiveness. Anything that generates motivation for others to split from a leader’s vision can be troublesome and backfire. U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton infamously referred to people from the heartland of America as a “basket of deplorables.” Of the entire presidential campaign, this was probably the most divisive thing said and tops a long list of insults politicians have blurted out over time. Remember that politicians need votes. Needlessly insult a swath of the electorate was dumb. https://journaltimes.com/news/national/year-since-win-trump-still-keeps-vanquished-foe-in-sights/article_a252d6ac-4116-5f4e-a4ec-cac6b49caef6.html
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- Clearing the Spindle: Leader Morality – https://www.theleadermaker.com/clearing-the-spindle-leader-morality/
- Clearing the Spindle: the Leaders – https://www.theleadermaker.com/clearing-spindle-leaders/
- Clearing the Spindle: Politics – https://www.theleadermaker.com/clearing-spindle-politics/
- Clearing the Spindle: Morality – https://www.theleadermaker.com/clearing-spindle-morality/
Another good article to put into my pocket for use as a leader. The more info we have the better we are at doing what leaders do – bringing people together to accomplish a common goal.
In China, this is the year of the Dog. I think so anyway. How appropriate that the year of the Dog is rife with insults and violence? The rest of the year should be even more entertaining because this seems to be working.
Good comment, Greg. Yes, the YEAR OF THE DOG.
This is why we have reasonable protocols of behavior. In some institutions, these are formal, like in the US military. Other times we find them more informal like in most of society. Regardless, I believe there should be a high standard of respect for others but only if they deserve it using morality as the standard.
I think you have nailed a very important point that is overlooked throughout most of our Western societies. Insults are ultimately about dividing us from others and to isolate. This is a method of warfare but also of getting people to self censor. Keep up the great works here.
Very appropriate post for our time.
Europe considers itself the center of the cultural world. But in the case of spreading culture – the culture of insults – I think the U.S. has managed to get ahead of them. Is this a good thing? Or is it just another way of getting things done in an efficient but hard way? Those things I don’t know but I can say one thing and that is, it works.
You got that right about Europe. I think they are “insulted.”
Good comment on cultural differences and change.
I had been thinking the same thing over the past few months and especially since the election of US Pres Donald Trump. You don’t have to like him to see that he will insult you before he makes a good deal with you. Strange way of conducting business but if it works, what can I say. Thanks.
Yes, Yusaf I think you and the rest of us have picked up on something that will permeate our culture for a while into the future. Is this a good thing? I’m not sure but there will be a price to pay.
I nearly snorted my coffee latte through my nose at Starbucks this morning while reading your post.
Andrew, I never took you for a Starbucks aficionado.
Gen. Satterfield, you are spot on with this article today. Despite so many people who demand respect they also demand that they be allowed to insult others. Strangely familiar…socialism at its finest. Great job today.
I like your post today. Cheers!
WOW, you certainly got this right. Insults are the wave of the future of our young snowflake generation.
Appropriate post for today’s world where insults are the modus operandi.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this “spindle clearing operation.” Yes, it is the year of insults.
Yep, you got it Janna. Well done.
That’s it Janna. This is the year of insults.
😉 I agree.
Glad you made this point early. Thanks, Janna.