Mr. Trump,

You know how to accomplish things, and you can deal and influence in an unbelievable way. After all, you are a private man, who managed to demand that the President of the most powerful nation on earth show his papers, and he did.

You are proud of that, and now you have his job. But, I wonder if you feel this job is now beneath you, in some way?  You probably already felt more powerful than him to have made that demand in the first place. So what will satisfy you now? Surely this can’t be the end of the road?

So who are you exactly?  King of the world? The greatest deal-maker ever? The most powerful man who has ever walked the face of the earth?  You know how you see yourself, and I’ll provide some important counsel to you below, so you don’t diminish your inherent influence.  Your power is already on the wane, and you know it.

“Trumping” President Obama on his birth certificate was a hell of a move. But here’s the rub: what made Obama so powerful to be worth dealing with in the first place, was not only his election to the most powerful position on earth, but also that he led this vast democracy to a newer, much bigger place.  Now that you have met him, you have also said he was a good man. That is another very important piece of this, but more on that later…

Here’s a distinction that few can truly understand:  managing is weak, and leading is unlimited strength.  Leading economic growth and expansion of culture is arguably the most powerful act of all.  Management does, however allow for ‘cutting the fat’, creating huge databases, building big, controlling resources and inflows/outflows in ways one sees fit.  Management requires control, and good management moves existing resources quickly into desired places. But management does not increase resources, or power, ever.  You have seen this in your own businesses. You can maneuver resources, build with them, acquire and reallocate resources, but you can’t grow resources without something else… and that is why you make deals.

You also know too tight a grip of control stops expansion. That’s the problem. So you may have Pence, Sessions, Bannon, Kelly, Flynn, family members and others take over the management of things, while you attempt to maneuver resources in larger ways. But every day you do this, and others attempt to “manage” the government,  you are slicing greater divide, and destroying the value and power of your presidency, and your ability to be adored. 

As an aside, many of your closest government contacts were playing the game of ‘people management’ (you),  and now they feel they’ve won.  You may have seen your true power slipping away right after your win,  you even called it “unfair” right after the election.  Because the rest of us know, you played a game and we were what was wagered.  We will not flatter or show approval to you for that move.  Unless…

A democracy, by its nature cannot be managed.  That is what makes it great. A democracy can be led, but obviously not by fear, hatred, entertainment, and divisiveness.  Unfortunately, this is mostly what the (professional government and organizational) people around you have offered to date.  What makes the USA the most important and powerful nation on earth is the variation and continual creative emergence of talents, people, ideas and passions from all corners, colors, and places. The American people provide the enormous value to the pool of resources, both those resources countable, and those unseen.

As you step onto the world stage — actually, you’ve been for quite a time now — you are only courted because of the  potential power you have to wield.  Many think you alone have the talent to wield it differently.  You do too.  This is why you said, correctly:  I could walk down 5th Avenue, shoot someone and still have supporters.  However, by allowing violent or fractious groups to appear to stand for you (like the white nationalists, Klan, mesmerized/energized fans, etc.),  you are letting every bit of your inherent power fall away.  And your people also instinctively know it.

Don’t falter now to the flattery and ambush of many who have played the international-scale management game longer than you. They are better at it, and they are waiting to use whatever you have left to further their own purposes.

Your only potential to be truly great is within the inherent power of a democratic nation.  This power will not last, or work, or mean anything in history if you cannot keep this country together, and protect the freedom of its people so they can enhance the nation and create value.  You can only do this by leading.  Leading means standing for something greater than management, deal-making, offensive action, intimidation and revenge.  Because of the cultural climate right now, leading means reassurance, kindness and unity first—with action.

Power also means standing for something greater than your own family.  The entire country is your family now, and if you want to succeed, you cannot ignore, suppress your least favorite.  Remember your talk with Obama?  You said you’d call on him for counsel, did you not?   You know enough to call on leaders who have already figured it out.  Maybe because you know, the motivations and techniques that worked for you in business and getting elected,  will leave you in a puddle of destruction and confusion as you rise to this position. It will also not get you what you want.

When you speak of how you respect women, it is because their natural embodiment of genuine power has literally raised you, and you have managed to harness it from the best women in your circle.  And yet, you have deeply insulted and offended millions of women (perhaps even family members who subtly show symbols of dissent).  Many women voted for you, but these are the kinds of women who don’t mind being insulted or offended; not the kind of women who exact revenge. In other words, not the best among us; not the strongest.

 

If you have read this far, you realize you have more expertise to tap, and you know I’m right.  Here is a 5 point plan to become greater, should you choose to pursue your campaign promise to make this country great again (because it did just take a huge hit upon your election and needs repair before growth is possible).

1. Immediately and repeatedly renounce all organizations and individuals who speak/act in an emboldened way to increase fear and hate in your name.  This includes many people that voted for you, and means removing some of your advisors.  You may need to lay low for a while after you do this, but you can handle the shift.  You need to speak against discrimination, with special admonishment for name-calling.  Leave no room for misinterpretation.
2. Visit your mom’s grave. Ask her silently if she ever wanted you to be a “killer” or “winner,” or if she ever just wanted you to be “Donald Trump.”  Ask who that is, now that you are president.
3. Deeply and sincerely apologize to every woman who you have ever harmed, offended, or insulted.  A public apology may suffice. This includes all the women who have been noted in the media, and also includes your wife (for looking over her shoulder when she voted), your daughter for showcasing her, and every woman who has to deal with harassment or diminishment because of your words.
4. Immediately halt all action on creating a Muslim database or enacting mass deportation, building a border wall, establishing an anti-American activity committee, and end any association (real or perceived) with David Duke, the KKK, Breitbart (yes, Bannon), White Nationalists, Putin and false news organizations. Clearly state your reason why: these actions appear to create fear and division, and fear is not what a Trump presidency is about. You intend to a builder of great things, not hate.
   
5. Choose a grand and swift action to benefit the worst off among us and execute it.  Example:  immediately send in engineers to fix water pipes in Flint.  Or, detail how you will increase medicare benefits, enlarging who qualifies for them; protect the pre-existing condition & adult child protection clauses, or support a public option for quality health care for those who can’t afford to buy from private insurers.  Or, hire a democratic/progressive watchdog and give him/her real and broad power in a cabinet position and let them preside over the EPA, immigration reform, human resource development/arts and human rights.  I suggest an extremely bold choice like Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders or other previous political enemy of yours.  Why?  Because you always pick the finest among your enemies to run important things and show your strength beyond your party.  It made Lincoln’s legacy greater, and could do the same for you.
   

Good luck.  If you don’t believe me, try number two, because no one has to know.  Do it for real, privately, and listen to your own internal counsel (didn’t you say it was all you needed?). Think NVP.  Think genuine adoration. Don’t settle for less that real power.  Get the strongest people back in your corner. The good people.

Harm to this democracy cannot be utilized for any American’s gain, even yours.

With a genuine hope for all (prove to me it’s not misplaced in you, Mr. Trump),

EMM