The Prime Minister's Trainer [Part 2]: -"Donald Trump is a Brilliant Communicator"
►Geopolitical Consultant (NATO) |Political Consultant |Freelance Writer|Speaker◄
If you missed my article and introduction on who Mark Bowden is (a trainer to G8 leaders), I recommend clicking on his name. If you would like to know how his expertise can benefit you as a client, you can reach him here.
During my next interview with Mark, we discussed his objective views on the President of the United States. I found some similarities in the approach we used in analyzing his communication and understanding what made him such a popular candidate. Here are 5 Rules I found we must follow and understand, when listening to the President.
"President Trump is a brilliantcommunicator"
Mark wisely pointed out that listening to the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, can help others understand the current President's affect on his supporters. (This will be elaborated further in Rule #1 and #3)
Are You Critical of Mark's Statement (Above)?
If you still are after reading this or have changed your mind, share your thoughts, or feel free to provide your own critical analysis below.
His statement may come to a surprise to both critics and even some supporters, who think the President's rapport with the world could be improved. However, critics of the president, must realize that Mark's analysis doesn't rely on using judgement, but rather, critical thinking.
-In this article, President-Elect Trump: The Master of Subtlety, I argue that it is easy to overlook his communication's strategy, because of some of his statements. Mark seems to support this rational as well:
"judgement is something we can always come back to"
-Can Mark remove his own political bias and judgement?
Yes: Although he did not support Margaret Thatcher's political views, he felt she was the best communicator of our time.
An example of her impactful rhetoric (at 54 seconds in):
"There is no such thing as public money, there is only taxpayers money"*
-Ms Thatcher's influential statement to the Conservative conference in 1983, would later be used for another Prime Minister's campaign, in 2015.
*Do you know why this statement created controversy?
Rule #2: Be Simple and Clear
Analyzed in the video below, by Nerdwriter (and my article linked above)
-When we as critics or supporters, remove our judgement, we can see:
1) During the campaign (and in the interview in the above clip), he often directs uswith repeated key words or phrases.
-"Look at", "Problem", "Solution"
2) He doesn't leave any doubts, questions or complexities in his answers on his policy stances.
An Example: "Build A Wall"
*I want to note, that we are objectively analzying how the President communicates his beliefs and policies. We are not denouncing nor advocating any stances here.
While listening to the presidential debates and other interviews, we find Hillary Clinton's reasoning for her plans and stances, were often harder to identify.
Here, we can see how her answers compare to the current president. The immigration package she offers and what it includes, is not quite clear.
Side note: Notice how Hillary Clinton laughs in the beginning and how President Trump looks serious.
Rule #3: Impact Your Audience (for the better or the worse)
-As mentioned before, Mark suggests we look to some of Margaret Thatcher's speeches or debates.
Similar to the US President,
"You could not be indifferent to her"
David Cameron, on the campaign trail in 2015, repeated Margaret Thatcher's line:
"There is no such thing as public money, there is only taxpayers money"
Your Thoughts for the 2018 and 2020 Elections: Will or should candidates, from either party, repeat a segment from a previous American President's speech, to rally support behind them? -If so, which President should they use and which line from the speech?
Rule #4: Don't Read His Mind
Can You Read President Trump's Mind?
Talk show hosts and news stations often ask Mark for advice on what the President is thinking, and he points out: "It is hard to predict or determine what his exact thoughts are, based of his body language", and that it's "not a good idea to attempt to read someone's mind, when using body language analysis".
What does non-verbal communication analysis help us (and Mark's clients) with?
Some examples include: Our opponents weakness's during a debate, recognizing your opponents strength's (so we can avoid giving our opponents helpful questions), and strategies to improve our own debating and public speaking skills. During the US Presidential Debates in 2016, there were a number of moments in which Hillary Clinton and Trump, looked: stressed, flustered, or slightly confused.
From speaking with Mark, it is apparent he notices communication subtitles, that many may brush aside.
Rule #5: Ask the Right Questions
Are You Still Critical of Mark's Conclusion, on the President's Brilliant Communication Skills?
For those reading, who are still trying to understand the president's rhetoric and his above statement, Mark wants us to ask ourselves a couple of questions:
-"Did he (as a candidate), get the results he wanted?"
-"Are these controversial statements he's making, serving a purpose or meeting a requirement of the candidate?"
I think most of us can answer Yes, to both questions. During his campaign, as media criticism increased, he maintained his behavior and rhetoric. Mark says it is wrong to suggest Donald Trump didn't have a campaign or PR strategy.
I would venture to predict, the 2020 Presidential Elections will have many similiarities to the 2016 Presidential Elections.
What Would Mark's Advice for us be-
if we want to affect or influence others?
He would probably suggest us to
LinkedIn: Greg Voegtle| Medium Blog: @GregInternational14 Twitter: @GregGlobal14| Speaker Profile: Greg's Global Speaking
Bio: Greg is a U.S. Political Consultant and Geopolitical Consultant (most recently for NATO), who specializes in strategic communications and analysis. He has worked on humanitarian issues and lead Scenario Teams (for NATO) at Strategic and Tactical level Military Bases and Headquarters in Europe and The Republic of Georgia.
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