Introduction
Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., AKA, Muhammad Ali is considered as one of the most accomplished boxers of all time. During his heyday he was pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world and has been called “The Greatest” by so many people from all walks of life. He was not only a great man in the ring he was also a spectacular human being outside of it. He deserves to be called a champion. Yet, aside from Muhammad Ali there are others who can use the label champion and wear it proudly. Some examples are, Dr. Martin Luther King, a Civil Rights leader, W.E. B Dubois, one of the world’s most prestigious educators and also active in the Civil Rights movement, Abraham Lincoln which requires no introduction, William Henry “Bill” Gates, founder of Microsoft and last but not the least Donald J. Trump, a tycoon, socialite and author rolled into one. These men deserved to be called champions not only because of their achievements but also because of their spirit.
This paper is based on the book written by Donald Trump, entitled, Think like a Champion. Trump pointed out some of the attributes and qualities of a winner. These ideas can be used as foundation in the lives of future business leaders who may want to emulate what Donald Trump was able to accomplish. In this book Trump outlined how a person can change the way he views the external environment in order to take advantage of opportunities, solve problems, and be able to survive the tough times. Trump was able to achieve this by encapsulating his ideas into key concepts such as: a) innovation; b) learning to think on your feet; c) wisdom; d) building connected thoughts; e) confronting your fears, and f) your imagination.
This paper will hopefully be the first step in you thinking like a champion and becoming one. These attributes are the foundation in which one can use to be successful in his or her personal life. This can also be used to provide a competitive advantage in business or help in achieving a high level of excellence in one’s career. Take for instance the success stories of Ali, Bill Gates, Lincoln and Trump, these men exemplify what it means to be a true champion. They also demonstrated that being a champion is not about physical attributes or education it is a mindset. It is the way you view yourself in relation to others. Indeed, one can say that there are champions that are born and champions that are made (Trump & McIver, 2009). Donald Trump is an example of a self-made man; he triumphed over adversity to transform himself into what he is today. He is an individual who has shown marked superiority. But this is not simply because he was born with innate talents. According to Trump his being a winner is a by-product of hard work and determination. This is something that an aspiring businessman should take note of.
Innovation
Innovation is simply putting together existing elements to create what appears to be new and innovative. According to Victor Hugo, an idea whose time has come is more powerful than the strongest Armed Forces on the planet. In order to achieve this, one has to be very open to the external environment. One has to be sensitive to new stimuli because from these stimuli one can get new things. Sometimes it does not have to be an original idea but a combination of two seemingly unrelated ideas but when combined together can form a revolutionary concept. For instance who could have thought 50 years ago that computers should not only be limited to machines that make fast and accurate mathematical computations but can also be a device that one can use for online shopping.
New ideas can come from the most unexpected places. This is the reason why an innovative mind is a mindset that is open and curious. This is a very important attribute that a businessman should have. In this manner an entrepreneur can easily solve a particular problem and then build or offer a product and service that can address that need. Those who limit themselves to staid thinking will never achieve the kind of success enjoyed by Donald Trump. A great an active mind is made alive by a variety of thoughts and a curiosity that is no easily satisfied. There is a need to explore and to ask relevant questions. A businessman or potential leader must keep his or her mindfully engaged in the best ways possible. It could very well be the assurance of success.
Think on you feet
In order to be successful one has to learn to think on his feet. This suggests flexibility and rapidity of movement. A great leader value analysis and long hours spent on study but sometimes speed is the key. Being able to think on your feet is the result of training and discipline. It would be impossible to learn the art of sprinting before one has made considerable investment in time and effort to strengthen the muscles required for such activity. If a person will not work at it then it would be impossible to accomplish such a task. On has to be dedicated to achieve this level of competence. Moreover, Trump added that one can spend all his time thinking but if he does not act on it then he will amount to nothing. Those great ideas will remain just mere ideas, unless one has the commitment to act on those things.
Wisdom
Wisdom is another great attribute that will help someone get catapulted to the next level. It can be said that wisdom is nothing more than experience, integrity, and knowledge all rolled into one. Wisdom can never be taught by someone else. One has to acquire wisdom on his own effort. It is the ability to have insights that come with experience. According to Trump one way to gain wisdom is to read about great men and women in history. In order to be focused on this activity it is also advisable to read the biography of true-to-life champions in a field of study that is of great interest to the reader.
In the case of Donald Trump, he devoured books written about Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and people who changed the course of history. He also studied warfare and war generals. Interestingly, Trump also read books about nature. He learned that nature is a very powerful force. Nature can help change the landscape of countries and continents. There is also the need to take the time to read and learn. Wisdom will come if the mind is given chance to absorb and assimilate ideas.
Wisdom should be made applicable to business endeavors and various leadership roles. One application of wisdom is to learn how to communicate effectively. According to Trump the champion businessman learns how to keep his sentences and conversation short (Trump & McIver, 2009). Words must be used at a minimum because businesspeople do not have the time to listen to a very long discussion full of useless words. Effective people would only want to get to the point. The less time it takes to talk, the more time can be devoted to being productive (Trump & McIver, 2009). This capability requires practice and discipline but if one learns to master this skill then even their superiors will be impressed by how he demonstrated how he cares about other people’s valuable time.
Another way to apply wisdom is to learn how to speak at the right time and be silent when needed. Trump argues that it is not good to mince words when it is time to let others know about one’s achievements. Trump also said that it is not wrong to toot one’s own horn and it is perfectly acceptable to brag once in a while so the person can be noticed by those who have the power to promote them to the next level. There are times when there is a need to be a stand out so that people will take notice. Obviously wisdom is very much needed in these instances so that the person will not be alienated from the rest of the team because of inappropriate behavior.
Finally, one of the most important applications of wisdom is to immerse oneself in financial matters because financial literacy can make or break you a businessman. There is a need to be financially savvy. This can be achieved by reading, doing research and much study. Trump suggested that an aspiring businessman should learn about the stock market as well as various national and world markets (Trump & McIver, 2009). A true champion in the business world is familiar with concepts such as equities, emerging markets, asset management, commodities, mutual funds, hedge
funds, annuities, stocks, bonds, and mortgages (Trump & McIver, 2009). There is a need for independent research and study and not rely on second-hand information.
Knowledge is power according to Trump and thus, he advises people to take as many financial classes as they can no matter what your line of work is or your focus of study might be. In Trump’s estimation, the world and the financial market are all connected; when the markets and banks falter, it will create a ripple effect (Trump & McIver, 2009). Being financially savvy will ensure success and sustain it in the long run.
Building Connected Thoughts
Building connected thoughts is a great attribute to help a person achieve success. This skill is activated when different ideas, thoughts, and subject matter can be fused into one inside the mind of a champion. At first these ideas may not specifically relate to a field of interest or business endeavor but by practice and having an open mind one can make a connection. This will allow the one with the mind of a champion to see things that others failed to perceive. In this perceiving he or she can find solution to age-old problems. Breakthroughs in medicine and many forms of technological innovation were the brainchild of scientists and thinkers who combined two unrelated ideas and made a connection. For instance who could have thought that rubber can be used to wrap around wheels so that it will become more efficient?
One practical suggestion in order to enhance this ability is to start everyday with a clean slate. This means that the past is past and the future beacons for those who are willing to start anew. By opening the mind for possibilities the person will be able to see new things and to connect two seemingly incompatible items to produce a solution to an old problem. According to Trump, he would try to learn something new on a regular basis and then he would create new applications that in turn will drive progress.
Confronting your fears
Fear can easily paralyze a person. Something simple can be made into something very complicated. An easy assignment can become very difficult because of fear. Fear creates a stumbling block that will only block the creative process (Trump & McIver, 2009). Thus, the ability to confront fears will help a person overcome a lot of obstacles and put him on the fast track. If one is objective he or she can remove what is hindering the creative process (Trump & McIver, 2009). An antidote to fear is the mindset that will always look for solutions instead of becoming easily discouraged. A true champion will not allow fear to settle in his heart for this will defeat him easily. One has to recognize fear and then get rid of it immediately. A mind full of fear must be replaced with a problem solving attitude, faith one’s abilities and hard work.
Fear can be defeated by having the right mindset. A correct mindset will be a stone to get to the top. Having the right attitude will help the person to stay focused on the job and be responsible to guide it into completion. A true champion will always declare that the blame game is over and that he will take responsibility. A champion will persevere to find the solution to a problem instead of blaming the incompetence of others. When a leader will defeat fear by having the correct mindset then so much can be accomplished.
Your imagination
Imagination is another attribute that will help in the journey to success. If one can imagine then that vision can become a reality. If a person can visualize it being done then he will be able to do it. Imagination can be a tool that can bring a person to the next level of success. Imagination can allow the person to see the big picture and find solutions to problems that were not obvious to those who had already given up the task. Imagination will allow the person to see beyond the obvious and thus allow that person to achieve extraordinary results.
Imagination will allow for vision, foresight, creative discernment, and/or perception (Trump & McIver, 2009). In the case of Trump, he was able to use his creative imagination to see what was possible. But this does not mean that others will agree to that vision. When Donald Trump decided to build golf courses many of his well-meaning friends, advisers and critics told him that it is not the path that he should go because his major strength is in the creation of superstructures, not recreation facilities like golf courses. But deep down he knew he was right. He can visualize the golf courses already in his head and therefore he had the courage and the conviction to go ahead with his plans even if majority tried to object. If he had listened to these people then he would not have been able to complete a number of beautiful golf courses that were credited to his name.
Another application of using one’s imagination is to see the big picture. In order for someone to emerge as a true champion he must keep the big picture in mind (Trump & McIver, 2009). Too many times the leader will focus on the problems and not the opportunities (Trump & McIver, 2009). Having the big picture in mind will allow the leader to go against the flow because he could see what the critics failed to perceive. The correct way of using imagination will allow the leader to think outside the box. He thinks outside the box. He does not follow the pack but instead makes his own trail for others to follow. Imagination will allow the leader to break new ground (Trump & McIver, 2009). This will also help the leader to learn to think big and not be limited to setbacks and other negative circumstances.
Conclusion
A true champion can be born but most of them are made. One good example is Donald Trump one can say that he inherited much from his father but at the same time it can also be argued that he went through a process of learning and overcoming obstacles to reach the level of success that he enjoyed today. According to Trump his success can be attributed to a champion spirit, the indomitable will to win and in following key concepts such as desiring for wisdom, overcoming fear, being open to the world around him, be innovative etc. These principles combined with a personal decision to become the best will ensure that the person will succeed no matter his vocation and the things that may interest him in life.
References
Trump, D. & M. McIver. (2009). Think Like a Champion: An informal Education in Business and Life. MA: Vanguard Press.