Communication can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings or anger, even if the intent wasn’t to cause harm. Communication can also clearly, accurately reflect people’s critical-in-nature personality and nastiness.
Former President Donald Trump plays fast and loose with his words, which has turned people against him for years. When critics, opponents and supporters of them bring up the past, it’s because Trump has willingly provided the evidence to use against him.
At the Democratic National Convention, another former president, Bill Clinton, spoke about Trump’s selfishness and negativity and whether that’s what the country wants in its next president.
“How does Donald Trump use his voice?” Clinton rhetorically asked in his speech. “Mostly to talk about himself — his vengeance, vendettas, complaints, conspiracies.”
Trump has earned that perception, belief and reputation. He still doesn’t understand the danger of it to trust and his aspirations. It doesn’t make him look stable to many, even some of his supporters.
Regardless of whom one will vote for in the election, based on what most matters to them, it’s factual that Trump regularly does himself more harm than good with his public speaking and Twitter communication.
Clinton brought up another observation in his speech.
“The next time you hear him, don’t count the lies, count the ‘I’s,’” he said.
Clinton is communicating that Trump is self-absorbed and not about the people.
“He’s like the tenor warming up before the opera: ‘me, me, me, me.’”
These comments must sting Trump. They would almost anyone. Yet the wounding is made possible by Trump’s own behavior. He could, if he wanted, prevent insults like these, yet he will be angry about his formerly unprofessional, unkind communication being chastised and say something negative to hurt back. Thus, the cycle will continue.
Clinton continued:
“Or a tribute to the ’late great’ Hannibal Lecter?” he again rhetorically inquired, before posing closed-ended questions, leading his audience towards his persuasive objective.
“Do you want to save our country and our world from the calamities of climate change?” Clinton asked. “Or obsess on the vital debate between getting eaten by sharks or electrocuted?”
Clinton doesn’t seem to hate Trump yet he does seem to find him unserious, distracted from important matters and lacking in the tact that he feels a president should exhibit.
Trump is not a fast or willing learner. He communicates by habitual default, goes off of instinct and chooses a rough approach to people.
It’s worked for him in the past. Does it have enough shelf life to earn him a win in November and lead another presidential term? Trump is rolling the dice, hoping to beat the odds. He might do it, even if he is decreasing his possibility of winning.
Thank you for reading this issue of Communication Intelligence.
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