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Effective Leadership An Interview with Donald J. Trump, Chairman and President, The Trump Organization EDITORS’ NOTE Donald Trump future strength of America. You I would remind young people that there are is the author of 10 best-selling address many of the major issues always opportunities and to remain positive. When books, including The Art of the the U.S. is facing in your new book, I started as a developer in New York City, everyone Deal, Never Give Up, The Art of Time To Get Tough. Would you said it was a terrible time for real estate and every- the Comeback, How to Get Rich, highlight your reason for writing one was negative. I went ahead anyway because Think Like a Billionaire, Trump 101: the book and the key messages that it’s what I wanted to do and I found opportunities. The Way to Success, Why We Want you wanted to convey? It’s not easy but you have to be tenacious. You to be Rich, and The America I love America and to see what’s You speak often about a lack of lead- We Deserve. He serves on the happening to our country is disturb- ership in Washington today. What makes board of the Police Athletic League, ing. We cannot afford four more years an effective leader and are they needed to on the advisory boards of Lenox of this mess. Obama does not know bring America back strongly? Hill Hospital and United Cerebral what he’s doing and he’s been a huge Yes, I speak about it often because it is so Palsy, as Chairman of the Donald Donald J. Trump disappointment. As a businessman, obvious. An effective leader needs to know how J. Trump Foundation, and as Co- certain things are very clear to me and to negotiate and a certain level of intelligence Chairman of the New York Vietnam Veterans by writing this book I could make them clear is required. The President needs to be smart Memorial Fund. Trump is also the Co-Producer to the public. enough to recognize the national security threat of The Apprentice, and in January 2007, he re- Key messages include the problem of China poses in the new frontier of cyber war- ceived a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. China taking advantage of us on a large scale, fare. He has to know what OPEC is doing, to see He is a graduate of the Wharton School of the OPEC doing the same thing, and Obama doing the benefi ts of the Keystone Pipeline, and not University of Pennsylvania. nothing about it. We are in an economic disas- treat the Chinese like they are royalty. His budget ter and there are some things that can be done funds the “Arab Spring” with $800 million and the COMPANY BRIEF The Trump Organization to help the situation and yet nothing is being Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt with $1.3 billion in (www.trump.com) encompasses global real es- done. We also need a tax system that is fair and military aid. A day after he released a trillion dol- tate development and global licensing, sales and smart – one that encourages growth, savings, lar budget defi cit, he hosted China’s future leader marketing, property management, golf course and investment. It’s time to stop punishing hard Vice President Jinping at the Pentagon with a full development, entertainment, entertainment work and entrepreneurship. honor ceremony. His choices don’t make sense. and product licensing, and brand development. How concerned are you about the fu- Those leaders are out there, but they will Holdings include the Trump International Hotel ture position of the U.S. as a world leader? be walking into a mess. A strong leader and & Tower in New York, Chicago and Toronto, Very concerned. We are perceived as weak someone with business experience and inter- Trump SoHo, Trump World Tower at the United and not too smart, and other countries know national knowledge is a must. He or she must Nations Plaza, Trump Park Avenue and Trump we’re in big trouble if we don’t get back on the have a very strong agenda and stick to it. International Hotel Las Vegas. Headquartered right track. We have huge debts and our leader- There is always a buzz about what you in Trump Tower in New York, the Trump ship is weak. are going to do, whether it relates to politics, Organization also owns twelve golf courses, with What needs to be done to spur entre- business, or television. How do you balance a links course opening in Scotland this spring. preneurship in the U.S. and with all of the all of the areas in which you are involved A recent acquisition is the iconic Doral Hotel regulations today, is it more challenging to and what gives you the most fulfi llment? & Country Club in Miami, which includes four build a company and to compete globally? Balancing the three areas gives me fulfi ll- championship golf courses. Their portfolio of golf Entrepreneurs create jobs and their abil- ment. I greatly enjoy all of them, so the balance courses is international and has won many ac- ity to do so has been hampered. We need an comes naturally. Of course, real estate was my colades. Additionally, the organization owns the international deal maker in offi ce and Obama is fi rst love and I have a golf course opening in historic Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The not one. It’s tougher to build a company in the Scotland this July, which has been a labor of love mega hit reality show, The Apprentice and The U.S. and to take it global as there are too many and is spectacular. It’s been a long haul getting Celebrity Apprentice, is now in its twelfth sea- roadblocks. Obama’s background in business it done, considering I spent fi ve years looking son and continues to receive high ratings. The is not strong and very obvious mistakes have for the right place, which I found in Aberdeen, Trump Organization also owns the Miss Universe been made. Considering the economy, he has Scotland. My mother is from Scotland so there’s Pageant and Trump Model Management, and not been a big help. a connection there that goes beyond the sport the Donald J. Trump Signature Collection of tai- There are great concerns about jobs or the business. The so-called “one season won- lored clothing is featured at Macy’s. In February in the U.S. How can we make an impact on der” known as The Apprentice has entered its of 2012, the Trump Organization was selected unemployment and what advice would you 12th season, which is another amazing and very as the developer of the famous Old Post Offi ce give to young people entering the job mar- interesting business for me; it’s been fun as well Building in Washington, D.C.. ket today? as exciting. I’ve always been interested in politics The Keystone Pipeline would create thou- and became more interested when I could see There is much debate about U.S. competi- sands of jobs, for one thing. Why isn’t that going what was happening to this country. If I can do tiveness in the global economy and the through? anything to help, that’s what I’ll do.• VOLUME 35, NUMBER 2 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2012 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 53.