Regardless of any political opinion it is important to notate how interesting of a leader Donald Trump is. He is an individual with an immense amount of power and influence, which we studied in lesson seven of this class. In the lesson we define power as “the capacity to produce effects on others (House, 1984), or the potential to influence others (Bass, 1990)” (PSU, WC, 2016, L.7). While many consider the words power and influence as interchangeable with influence which is defined as “the change in a target agent’s attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors as a result of influence tactics” (PSU, WC, 2016, L7). The ideas of power and influence especially in such a high position of power.
An important aspect to look at in this reflection of power and influence is that of Influence tactics “person’s actual behaviors designed to change another person’s attitudes, beliefs, values, or behaviors” (PSU W,C 2016, L.7). As anyone not living under a rock during this presidency and election cycle has noticed how the divide of the country has seem to grow every year with Donald Trump as president. That is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact. With nearly every state in this election, especially in battleground states proves the point with each of the states voting nearly 50/50 proving there is a split decision with not one side having majority over the other. I believe that the cause of this divide is due to Donald Trump’s power and influence that he has over the country and his supporters.
Donald Trump has shown an abundance of traits from the dark triad we learned about in the Trait approach in lesson 2. The dark side of personality can unfortunately, also prove to be influential in the terms of leadership. A prediction- although without scientific data is extremely high in the dark personality trait of narcissism, and fear of failure (PSU W, C 2016, L.2). I think that his high level of narcissism which is defined as “leaders who are overly-self-confident, self-centered, and extremely ambitious. They overestimate their abilities have a strong sense of entitlement, and often hold others in contempt” (PSU W, C, 2016 L.2). His over confidence and extreme ambition has been seen as very desirable by his supporters trickling down from himself to his supporters which is why you have seen multiple reporting on major Trump Parades, and the insane amount of individuals attending his rally parties because he is using what is typically seen as bad personality traits to something seen as desirable by his supporters and his power and influence is seen as very influential as been shown by his supporters.
I think that his fear of failure has been his downfall throughout his presidency. It has been categorized as a dark side personality trait defined as “leaders who dread being criticized” (PSU W.C 2016 L.2) and I think his fear has been shown as labeling others who criticize him as a use of this trait, examples like sleepy Joe (Joe Biden), Crooked Hillary (Hillary Clinton), Sloppy Steve (Steve Bannon), and crazy Megyn (Megyn Kelly). Which has been shown to lose a lot of support due to these negative personality traits really showing.
His influence is crippling the integrity of the election process in the United States. His constant tweets about the democrats stealing the election, and citing voter fraud by counting all mail in votes have been absorbed by his followers and are threating civil unrest if he is not re-elected due to his statements of fraudulent activity.
Like I have said, regardless of any political stance, anyone can really see the pride that Trump supporters have due to the immense power and influence that Donald Trump has upon his followers. Somehow he has turned dark traits seen as typically unfavorable, now being more favorable is just another example of the kind of influence he has over his supporters and proves he has a major power over them.
References
Pennsylvania State University (2020). Leadership in work. Module 2: Trait Approach. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2035467/modules/items/30110513
Pennsylvania State University (2020). Leadership in work. Module 7: Power and Influence Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2075457/modules/items/30110513