Qualities, Skills, and Intrinsic Value Are Important Ingredients to Success

Regardless of what you may think of president Donald Trump, you can’t deny his success. And for anyone that has read any of Mr. Trump's books, we all know that he got his start in the world of construction and real estate development.

Speaking of construction and real estate development, ask anyone in these fields and they will tell you the importance of integrity when it comes to building buildings — it is what they call building integrity.

Never Comprise Integrity for Growth

That is the first quality that our Commander and Chief refers to as being the essential quality to have for success in life, in addition to business.

In, Think Like a Champion, president Trump said:

“There’s integrity to building that cannot be compromised. We’ve all seen the results of hastily constructed buildings in the earthquakes and in other disasters around the world. I will not jeopardize the safety and well-being of people, and if I’m known to be a stickler for details, that is one of the reasons.”

Our words and actions are essentially the mirrors that reflect the integrity (or lack thereof) that we have inside. If you were to picture yourself as a building, what kind of building would you be? Would you be one built, not just with high quality, but with solid integrity, such as the real estate developments that our Command and Chief has built?

I remember the first network marketing company that I really started to get involved in and what their vision/mission statement was. For those of you who are familiar with this company, you will know which one I am talking about when you read their statement: “Never compromise integrity for growth”

In short, a strong essence of integrity is just the foundation for building and developing the successful life that you truly desire.

The Art of Negotiating: He That Listens More Accomplishes More

In addition to building integrity, one particular skill-set that some report president Donald Trump is gifted with is his ability to negotiate — consider The Art of the Deal. 

In conjunction with, or in concert with building integrity, there is the importance of developing the skill set of negotiating. According to our Commander and Chief:

“There is a balance to successful negotiation that many people fail to see. The best negotiation is when both sides win. There’s a compromise involved, which means careful listening, and when that is achieved you’ll see results that work.”

Now, I know that this may sound a bit contradictory from what I have stated before — never compromise integrity for growth — so it is important that I make some clarification here.

When I speak of “compromise” in terms of negotiation, I’m not talking about throwing away your integrity or putting your morals and ethics in jeopardy. In fact, it is your personal convictions that keep your integrity in check when negotiating.

The first key to being successful in negotiations is actively listening with full attention and sympathy to the other party. In other words, try to understand where the other party is coming from. Put yourself in their shoes and try your hardest to see their point-of-view.

When you do this, what you are ultimately searching for is where the other party’s integrity, morals, ethics, and convictions lie. And although we are all different, and come from different walks of life, we should be able to find common ground somewhere, which brings us to the second key…

The second key is about building bridges that bring both sides closer together. Think of it like connecting each party's “building integrity” together to make one strong building or tower, that will stand the test of time.

Let me put it to you like this: Speaking of “common ground”, the truth is we are all standing on the same earth. We may be located in different areas and given different tools (morals, ethics, standards, convictions, etc.) to work with, but we are standing on the same earth. Point being, we will always be able to find common ground somewhere.

In short, when you find yourself in a negotiation situation (regardless if that is in your personal or professional life), always remember to actively listen by giving the other party your full attention and be sympathetic to where they are coming from. And remember this: “He that listens more will always accomplish more.”

Intrinsic Value Cost More Than Money Itself

Our Commander and Chief said in his book, Think Like a Champion:

“Intrinsic value is a value that has been overlooked in today’s marketplace. Everything has a dollar value, and it becomes very black and white. That is necessary in business. We live in a tangible world with tangible needs. But I will say that I often look for the obscure, the gray area that implies a mystery or a value that is more than money alone can carry.”

I once read a story about an art collector who, over the years, accumulated a huge fortunate in art. Some of the paintings that he ended up acquiring were done by some of the most famous artists in the entire world, such as Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Miro, and many others.

However, despite all of the great masterpieces that this art collector possessed, he found the painting of his deceased son (which was painted by a friend of his son) to be the most important and valuable piece he had. In other words, this particular painting held a more intrinsic value that far surpassed the millions represented by that master artist that sat next to this painting.

As the story goes, the art collector put in his last will and testament that he wanted his paintings to be given away in an auction, but with a certain twist. What he requested was that whoever buys the painting of the son will get the lot in return.

If I remember correctly, the auction started with the painting of the son, and where most people were just waiting for the auctioneer to move on to the next masterpiece or work of art, only one man bought the painting of the son, and for only a small sum of $10 dollars.

What these people didn’t know was the hidden clause in the art collector’s will. After this man bid on the son’s painting for $10, the auctioneer then revealed the hidden clause to the rest of those in attendance.

In short, the art collector saw the painting of his son to be the most valuable work of art that he possessed in his lifetime, even over all the other paintings that he acquired. And the person that walked away with that painting walked away with something more valuable than paintings worth millions, he walked away with one painting that possessed intrinsic value worth more than money itself.

Consider these to be three Executive Business Orders given to you by your Commander and Chief. Now, go out there into “the field” you call your business and/or industry and follow the orders given to you with full passion and devotion. And let me know how this has added value to your life in the comments below.


William Ballard

William Ballard is the author of "The True Writer's Life," which is the book that essentially started it all for William. In conjunction with the coaching he provides for free through his blogs and articles all across the web, he also offers Personal Writing and Business Coaching where he teaches freelance writers and aspiring authors how to start, build and maintain full-time, high-earning writing careers.

6 Comments

Deb · September 23, 2017 at 2:52 pm

The only valuable business lesson I can see from #45 is that he understands how to find his target audience and employ effective message to market.
That being said, his message is void of any integrity and rarely includes actual facts. He plays on insecurities and emotions. He’s a bully and a manipulator. As president, I’ve seen nothing to concur he’s some negotiating genius, in fact quite the opposite. As others have said, he didn’t write his books, and if he had invested his inheritance he’d be worth a lot more. Anyone who lived in NYC in the 80’s and 90’s know what a con man he is.

    Lawrence Tam · September 29, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    thanks for the comment and glad we can have a platform to express your opinions and learn a bit more from where you are coming from.

Patricia · June 26, 2017 at 2:40 pm

I can’t believe that you used Trump as someone who should be held up as a role model for anything. Integrity? This man has shown zero integrity in the office as president with his constant lies and disrespect for our form of government. He is a danger to our democracy. I’m very disappointed that you chose such a person as someone we should want follow and be like him.

    Carol · September 26, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Have you been hacked?? Integrity…is somebody writing your emails…THERE IS NO INTEGRITY WITH DONALD TRUMP Lawrence…period. I could not believe my eyes when I saw that you put the Commander and Chief in your title..to what get us to read it . I’m totally disgusted and mortified that you put yourself any where near the likes of this man. Promoting his book? Are you shitting me Lawrence. I hope you don’t have any daughters. The Art of the Deal? Have you heard of OPM other peoples money..Trump ripped off thousands of contractors in his Real Estate Business…never paid his taxes or gave to any charities..You have lost your credibility Lawrence and your mind.

      Lawrence Tam · September 29, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      This was a guest blog from William Ballard and thought it was of value…. I sometimes have to pick topics that might not resonate with the masses and I’m okay with that. Just skip this one if it’s not your cup of tea.

David Bell · June 12, 2017 at 2:56 pm

It has been established that Trump did not write a single word from the book, ‘The Art of the Deal’. The book was entirely written by ghost writer, Tony Schwartz. Trumps limited views and understanding of the world are entirely authoritarian, psychological and emotional, not ideological. Trump is looking for a way to resign the presidency, according to Schwartz, in order to avoid the humiliation of impeachment.

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