On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump delivered the speech of his life.
My thoughts, as I watched and listened to Mr. Trump was that he made the “presidential pivot” that pundits and critics have been calling for since election day.
As a speaker, I have never thought that Donald Trump was a great communicator, but he displayed something last night that gave me a fresh perspective on him and his leadership.He openly demonstrated command of his podium. Trump was gracious and contemplative. In my opinion, he must have received wisdom, correction, and coaching. He was on a different level than America has ever seen or heard him before.
I realize that I just lost a pretty large segment of my readers — but before you leave a nasty comment, or worse — I am not making a political statement here. I’m addressing his speech. The sad thing is that our over-politicized, over-criticised, and over-sensationalized society, we can’t even give a guy credit for delivering a home run in his first ever speech to Congress. To make matters more challenging, 40 million people were watching, just in America. No pressure, right?
I’m in no way endorsing the 45th President in total. I’m not attempting to critique his “great wall,” position on immigration, or often foul mouth. I’m simply making one point. Anybody and everybody, when willing to receive coaching, can be made better.
Yes, I heard Michael Moore, and a few others criticizing how he used Master Chief Ryan Owen’s widow, Carryn as a prop. From my seat in Gwinnett County, Georgia, I saw America pay highly earned respect to a strong, bold, powerful woman and her deceased hero and husband. Upon further thought, does anybody care what Michael Moore thinks?
The moment of honoring Mrs. Carryn Owens was the emotional highpoint in Trump’s key speech. Owens looked up at the ceiling, seemingly to her late husband, as she sat crying next to Ivanka Trump, the President’s daughter.
In recognizing the fallen SEAL, President Trump attempted to set to rest questions about the success of the operation, which was the first military mission he approved as Commander in Chief.
“Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero — battling against terrorism and securing our nation,” Trump said after speaking about the dedication of men and women in uniform.
The 45th President did indeed pivot, shoot and score with his delivery and I was proud to watch the other side of the Trump persona. Fire away with your “I can’t believe you, Pastor? You are giving props to a man with questionable character issues, loose with the truth, and lacking many social graces.” BUT! When America needed a new and improved 45th President, he delivered a grand slam after being well coached, well prepared and expertly delivered.
I would suggest that (regarding the speech, not the entirety of its content) he may very well have displayed two of leadership’s greatest qualities – COACHABILITY and FLEXIBILITY.
We can have civil discourse on the 45th President’s policies and personality another day. I wanted to take a moment and congratulate President Trump on a well written, well-delivered speech. Having said all that, I would suggest that we should all stop and ask ourselves the following question.
How Coachable and How Flexible are We? Especially Under Extreme Scrutiny.
–AChuck
