Why Donald Trump is good for your strategy

It is a paradox: Donald Trump, the personification of chaos, noise and loss of control, can be a role model for strategic clarity.

Not because he necessarily stands for good decisions. But because he's a master of one thing like few others: He forces those around him to take a stand and show their edge.

Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

Trump is a master: He identifies problems – whether real, distorted, or staged – with brutal clarity. He polarizes, he simplifies, he dramatizes. And in doing so, he forces those around him to react. Whether in politics or business: those who don't know what they stand for will be overwhelmed.

When Trump appears on the stage, the same thing always happens: Unrest. Emotions. Reactions. Whether migration, climate, security, or democracy – Trump addresses issues on which others might prefer to remain silent. Suddenly, a formal compromise is no longer enough; suddenly, a stand is needed. And therein lies his uncomfortable strategic relevance: He ultimately provides clarity, whether one wants it or not.

The appeal of actionism – and the danger behind it

When unrest dominates, many organizations switch to crisis mode: quick actions, quick communication, quick decisions. But those who simply react don't have a strategy, just a functioning alarm system.

Adaptive strategy work works differently. It doesn't mean reacting with alarmist snap decisions, but rather focusing on the specific question: What exactly is our goal? And what stands in the way of achieving it?

Good strategy is like a magnifying glass: It focuses attention on what's crucial. And it begins with the art of identifying the right challenge. Not just any challenge. Not the one for which there's already a solution. But the one that's really standing in the way. The unpleasant one. The one you'd rather avoid.

Strategy work needs a long-term perspective – especially when things are urgent in the short term

Adaptive strategy work means defining long-term goals, identifying challenges, and deriving concrete, prioritized strategic objectives from them. This isn't a detailed action plan. It's not a buzzword bingo. It's a targeted approach to navigating uncertainty.

Long-term goals provide direction, challenges provide focus. Together, the two provide orientation.

Especially in times like these, with geopolitical tensions, social fragmentation, and technological leaps, strategic clarity is needed more than ever. Not every issue can be resolved immediately. But every issue requires a strategic response. And that starts not with the measure, but with the goal.

What we can (not) learn from Trump

What we can certainly take with us in terms of adaptive strategy work is uncompromising consistency in action and the willingness to radically question established patterns. However, this only becomes effective when an overarching goal is identifiable – because without a strategic direction, any adaptation remains mere activism.

This leads to the uncomfortable question: Do we ourselves have a clear picture of where we want to develop our company in the long term?

And even more uncomfortable: If our short-term measures show no direction, how are we really strategically different from Trump?

That's precisely why it's time for strategic work with substance - not just because of Trump. But yes, also because of him.

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Impulse questions:

• Which of your current measures are reactions and which are truly strategically derived?

• Do you have a clear, long-term goal or just a collection of good intentions?

• What challenge stands in the way of your vision and is it really openly stated?

• And on a personal note: If someone like Trump is shaking up your environment, is your strategy strong enough to survive?