Blog

Who would ever think Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi have anything in common? Then again, what about those outsize egos they lug around?

Trump proved his ego is of epic proportion the week before last when talking on Fox & Friends about the Mueller investigation (as reported by CBS News). “If I ever get impeached, I think the market would crash. I think everybody would be very poor.” He went on to say, “I don’t know how you can impeach somebody who’s done a great job.”

Whoa, Nellie! The market has never crashed because of a single man being held accountable for his misdeeds, and I don’t recall poverty ever being caused by a single politician leaving office, regardless of the circumstances.

Pelosi proved her ego is just as big as the state of California by saying she wants to serve as Speaker of the House again should the Democrats regain control.

There are lots of reasons why Pelosi would make a great speaker. She’s a tremendous fundraiser, a skilled politician and a street fighter who knows how to get things done. What’s not to love? How about the fact she’s been in Congress since 1987 and is 78 years old. It’s time to pass the baton to one of the young guns.

And what about the fact she’s a lightning rod for criticism from the Republicans. It should be a sign it’s time to step aside when your opponents use your face in their ads against any Democrat running for office.

Pelosi pooh-poohs these issues because she’s the  best person—in her mind, anyway—to run the House.

Whenever you believe you’re essential to the survival of your universe—whether that universe is a business, a political organization, whatever—a number of things are going on, and none of them is good. First, you’re placing far too much importance on yourself and not seeing the big picture. Second, you don’t see the talent around you and, consequently, you’re probably not grooming a successor. Third, the hubris that leads you to believe you’re invaluable will eventually create blind spots to the detriment of the organization.

So, Mr. Trump, if you are impeached, I doubt the market will tank. It just might skyrocket. And, Ms. Pelosi, should the Dems take control of the House, I’ll bet it will be no worse for having Tim Ryan, D-Ohio at the helm. He might just do a fine job.

It’s likely neither Trump nor Pelosi ever listened to the late James McElhaney, a renowned law school professor who focused on litigation skills. McElhaney would always admonish trial lawyers to keep “Mongo” in their trial bags—his way of reminding lawyers to keep their egos under control. The same advice holds true for politicians.

_____________________________

Jack D’Aurora write for Considerthisbyjd.com

__________________________________________

Also published on Medium.