As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, understanding the leadership styles of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris through key models of leadership helps provide critical insights into their potential to build the best America. Drawing on the McKinsey 4 Traits of Successful Leadership and Christoffel Sneijders’ 3-Brain Intelligence, we can analyze how Trump and Harris lead from their gut, heart, and head and assess which style will likely yield the most effective future for America.
The McKinsey Model and Three-Brain Intelligence
The McKinsey model (based on research of more than 180.000 leaders worldwide) outlines four key traits of successful leaders: solving problems effectively, strong results orientation, seeking different perspectives, and supporting others. Combining this with the scientifically proven 3-Brains Intelligence model—Gut Brain (instinct, survival), Heart Brain (empathy, social intelligence), and Head Brain (logic, strategy)—provides a comprehensive view of leadership approaches.
In Sneijders’ Three-Brain Intelligence model, on the other hand, offers a scientifically proven framework for understanding how our three brains—gut, heart, and head—function in leadership and decision-making. Each of these brains has its own responsibilities and strategies for keeping us alive and thriving:
- The Gut Brain is primarily focused on self-preservation and survival. It’s responsible for our fight-or-flight responses and can manifest in behaviors like lying, deception, or extreme self-protection. The Gut Brain is egocentric, prioritizing individual survival at all costs, often resulting in bold, instinctual decisions.
- The Heart Brain governs social survival, driving empathy, compassion, and the well-being of others. It is wired for fairness, social connectedness, and emotional intelligence. The Heart Brain focuses on the broader community and ensures actions are aligned with the needs of others. The only risk when the Heart Brain dominates too much is that self-sacrifice can occur.
- The Head Brain is responsible for logic, strategy, and rational thinking. It analyzes facts, weighs options, and seeks clarity. However, the Head Brain can sometimes lead to procrastination or doubt as it overthinks or second-guesses decisions.
By analyzing which brain dominates in each leader, we can predict how their decision-making style will influence their leadership and the future of the country.
Donald Trump: Gut-Driven Leadership and Self-Preservation
Donald Trump’s leadership style is dominated by his Gut Brain, which drives instinctual and egocentric decision-making. His reliance on bold, gut-driven actions is evident in his popular slogans, such as “Make America Great Again, Again”and “America First.” These slogans reflect an instinct for survival and protectionism, particularly when it comes to national interests over global relationships.
- Gut Brain Focus: Trump’s frequent declaration, “I built the greatest economy in history, and I’ll do it again”, reflects his Gut Brain’s focus on personal success and instinctual confidence. His Gut Brain bypasses deeper reflection or analysis, focusing instead on bold, direct actions—sometimes without fully considering long-term consequences.
According to the McKinsey model, Trump’s strong results orientation can be seen in his quick, decisive actions, such as his 2017 tax cuts and trade wars. However, his lack of openness to other perspectives and his instinct to reject dissent highlight weaknesses in his leadership style, especially when it comes to supporting others.
Handling Dissent: Gut Reactions
Trump’s Gut Brain also drives his aggressive approach to dissent. His fight-or-flight response manifests in severing ties with trusted allies when they no longer serve his needs, as demonstrated by his treatment of Michael Cohen, William Barr, John Kelly, and Mike Pence:
- Michael Cohen, once Trump’s close lawyer, was cut off and discredited after he cooperated with investigations against Trump.
- William Barr, despite being loyal as Attorney General, faced Trump’s rejection after refusing to support claims of election fraud.
- John Kelly, former Chief of Staff, became a vocal critic and was dismissed by Trump, who showed no desire to reconcile.
- Mike Pence: Following the Capitol attack, Trump dismissed concerns for Pence’s safety, famously stating, “I don’t care; Mike deserved it. ” This revealed Trump’s extreme gut-driven instinct for self-preservation, even at the expense of long-term relationships.
Kamala Harris: Heart-Driven Leadership with Strategic Thinking
On the other hand, Kamala Harris exemplifies Heart Brain leadership, where empathy, social justice, and community well-being are prioritized. Her slogans, such as “For the People” and “Economic justice for all,” highlight her focus on the Heart Brain’s drive for fairness, inclusivity, and empathy.
- Heart Brain Focus: Harris’s emphasis on economic justice and raising the minimum wage reflects a deep empathy for marginalized communities. Her Heart-Brain-driven policies center around social survival and focus on uplifting those who have been left behind by traditional economic systems.
According to McKinsey’s 4 Traits, Harris excels at supporting others and seeking different perspectives. Her leadership focuses on long-term reform and inclusivity, ensuring that all voices are heard—a contrast to Trump’s self-preservation focus.
Her Head Brain is also engaged in strategic, logical planning, particularly in policies like clean energy investment and progressive taxation. Harris’s ability to combine empathy with strategy makes her leadership both heart- and head-brain-driven, aligning her with long-term success models like McKinsey’s.
Handling Opposition: Empathy and Reconciliation
In contrast to Trump’s gut-driven aggression, Harris handles opposition with Heart Brain empathy and Head Brain strategy. During the 2020 Democratic primaries, she clashed with Joe Biden but later mended the relationship, becoming his running mate. Harris’s decision to not throw Biden under the bus now that she is running for president reflects the heart brain’s loyalty and her empathy-driven leadership. But this compassion could also be seen as a potential weakness. By staying closely connected to Biden’s presidency, Harris risks being tethered to its challenges, including those criticisms around his economic record or approach to immigration. Overall, this shows her ability to handle dissent by focusing on the bigger picture and using empathy and strategy to find common ground—qualities that align with McKinsey’s traits of seeking different perspectives and supporting others.
Who Will Build the Best America?
Using the McKinsey model and 3 Brains Intelligence to analyze Trump and Harris, we see stark differences in their leadership styles:
- Trump’s Gut Brain-driven leadership prioritizes short-term wins and personal survival. His instinctual actions may lead to quick, bold results, but his rejection of dissent and lack of empathy raise concerns about his ability to build sustainable, long-term growth.
- Harris’s Heart Brain-driven leadership focuses on empathy, inclusivity, and long-term reform. Her strategic approach to policy and her ability to reconcile differences align with the traits of effective leaders outlined in McKinsey’s model, making her a more balanced leader.
Conclusion
The 2024 election presents a choice between Trump’s gut-driven self-preservation and Harris’s heart-driven inclusivity. McKinsey’s and Sneijders’ models both highlight that effective leadership requires a balance of empathy, strategic thinking, and decisiveness. While Trump excels in bold, instinctual actions, his lack of humility and empathy could hinder long-term success. Harris, with her heart-centered empathy and strategic vision, is better positioned to build an America that thrives for all its citizens—emphasizing community, justice, and sustainability.
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