1. Truth and Confidence
I teach new college age students that in business as in life pretend you are in an ARC and everything you
do will be either rough waters or calm. ARC is Action + Reaction = Consequence.
As of today there are over 30 Republican candidates running for President. The top 10 will be invited to
debate. As of today, Donald Trump is in the lead. Love him or hate him that is an individual choice.
However, as a leader and businessman he is highly successful. Why? Because he is a straight shooter, a
realist and not a phony. Yes, he speaks his mind, which goes against the political norm; Trump does not
bow to the political correctness police as most politicians. This is the trait of someone very comfortable
with themselves. Both the media and his opponents are having great difficulty identifying with him
because of this.
Many of us in business have worked for leaders like this. The type A personality. Whether you liked or
hated them you always knew where you stood.
The media is comparing the debate to NASCAR but the race has one drunk driver, Trump. Really, Trump
doesn’t even drink alcohol. The media needs to do its homework. One thing is certain, all the
candidates are scrambling and studying how to tread lightly and not have him go off on them.
Preparation is also a trait of a leader. Don’t be surprised if Trump isn’t studying and walk’s on the stage
and boxes with them as if he is Mohammad Ali. Why, because he’s a businessman and a professional.
He is confident; marches to his own drum beat and not out to please the political lobbyist. He is a
millionaire and cannot be bought. More important he knows the state of the land, is fluent in the
problems facing our great nation, and knows what buttons to press. He says what people in the country
have been thinking but are afraid to say. Perhaps he’s rough but leaders sometimes are and much of
the time people don’t like what they have to hear. If you have ever had to have a performance
discussion with someone, it’s never easy for either party. Its business and the facts are the facts. This
debate may turn into a performance discussion with Trump delivering the message. Will the others
listen? What will their reaction be and what consequence will they suffer?
The attributes of a true leader are truth and confidence. It’s knowing that for every action + the
reaction = the consequence. The opposing candidates are studying because if they answer to the party
line and status quo and Trump calls them out, they will slide further in the polls. Washington is a clicky
town. Very few are there on their own merit. They are there because they won the popularity contest
and preaching what people want to hear, but doing what serves their own self-interest in order to keep
their paycheck. Unlike Trump who made the decision to run on his own, is self-funded, can walk away
whenever, and not turn back.
Trump knows ARC. He built (A) and fell victim to the economy (R) and went bankrupt (C), multiple
times. However, he persevered. When Lindsey Graham challenged Trump that was the Action, Trump
telling people to contact him and giving his number out was the Reaction and Graham having to shut
down his phone number was the Consequence. It’s going to be an interesting couple of months as the
race gains heat.

2. Thump is Noah on the ARC. The others are the livestock. They have no idea why they are trailing this
guy, where is he taking them, and how should they relate to him. If they misbehave, he will put them in
their place. Their instinct just doesn’t seem to sit well with Noah. But it’s automatic, how they are
programmed. They are playing a game the same way it has always been played and do not like that
Trump is changing the rules. We as business leaders and professionals have quite a bit to learn from
watching this election. Look for the ARC in your own professional life. When you prepare for that
executive or board presentation know the content. Be prepared for that one Action or item that will get
that Reaction. The Consequence can be a career killer or a career advancer. Steer your ARC slow and
steady; be prepared for the unchartered waters. Trump has become a true challenge for this field of
hopefuls. They know how to handle each other and have never had to plan for the unknown. Their
biggest fear has come true.
How they Act, React and accept the Consequence from this debate and the remainder of the campaign
will ultimately drive the next republican candidate through to the primary. Good Luck!