Why measured Clinton beat Trump on Debate Two

Leaving aside who won the battle of the ideas, in the first Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton debate, the person who won the battle of the body AdobeStock_71024322(1) (Large)language, speaking, presence, and manner – consistent with an inspiring, visionary and competent leader of state – was Hillary Clinton. I scored:

Hillary Clinton, 8 out of 10      

Donald Trump, 6.5 out of 10

These are the key reasons for Clinton’s win over Trump:
  • Her gravitas conveyed through a measured, in-control speaking cadence and structure and measured body movement and gesture versus Trump’s bombastic, rapid-fire speaking delivery, fitful body movement and quick gestures.
  • Her holding direct eye contact with Trump when under attack and her overall composure versus Trump’s avoidance of direct eye contact, contorted facial expressions and repeated interrupting of Clinton, and his interrupting and arguing with the moderator.
Presidential debates are not about scoring points, but more about presenting a world view and bearing consistent with a statesman or woman. Clinton was more aligned with presenting a world view and bearing. The body language, speech, voice and presence of a leader matter, because they

reveal aspects of a person’s character

and a window into their soul. Trump’s best moment was:
  • Conveying genuine concern about the racism in the United States.
Trump’s worst moments/behaviours – in addition to the above points, included:
  • Making personal attacks on individuals. For example, on Janet Yellen.
  • Abrupt stoppage of speaking after a making a point.
  • Self-congratulatory language. For example, ‘I’m very proud of that.’
Clinton’s best moments/behaviours – in addition to the above points, included:
  • Her Open – Middle – Close speaking structure.
  • A direct gaze into the camera when addressing the nations of the world.
  • The retort, “I was preparing to become president’.
  • The ‘words matter’ statement.
Clinton’s worst moments/behaviours included:
  • an over-rehearsed opening statement.
  • interrupting Trump.
p.s This week, a client of mine made the observation that capitalism seemed more and more, to be ‘ruling’ the democracies of the world. This comment prompted me to respond that it seemed the ‘word’ to describe this phenomenon is, ‘capocracy’. Check out this post with my analysis of the 4 October 2012, Presidential debate between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama

How to judge if you need your ego stroked

‘True self-confidence is the ability to look at the world without the need to find signs that stroke one’s ego’ Nassim Taleb.erfolgreiche zusammenarbeit This quote is from Nassim Taleb’s book, The Black Swan. You might have read this classic book. Unfortunately – and I’m not immune to this – many executives are egos, going somewhere to be stroked. Here’s a list of points from the book that resonated with me. (excuse my temerity in listing ++. I’m not suggesting that you have under-developed frontal lobes). ‘Read books are far less valuable that unread ones.’ ‘We overestimate what we know – we underestimate uncertainty.’ ‘Be skeptical. In the end it is those who derive consequences and seize the importance of ideas, seeing their real value, who win the day. They are the ones who can talk about the subject.’ ‘If you want to get an idea of a person’s temperament, ethics and personal elegance – you want to look at him/her under tests of severe circumstance. Not under the rosy glow of daily life.’

++’Being an executive does not require very developed frontal lobes,

but rather a combination of charisma, a capacity to sustain boredom and the ability to shallowly perform on harrowing schedules. Add to these tasks the ‘duty’ of attending opera performances.’ ‘Tinker as much as possible and try to collect as many opportunities Black Swan* opportunities as possible.’ Your CALL to Action/HOW to apply for this post: A number of months back in the lobby of the Westin Hotel in Sydney, I approached Australian aboriginal leader, Noel Pearson and asked him what behaviour or attitude had paid off for him in his career. After a substantial pause he said, ‘reading’. With this in mind in the next seven days commit to a regular schedule of more reading, To start you off here is Tim Ferriss‘ (of The 4-Hour Workweek fame) Four hour book club.  * A Black Swan is a rare event. It carries extreme impact and it gets explained away after the fact (making it seem predictable). Check out this post entitled, Transparency: Lose the comb-over.