In his book The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, Sir Ken Robinson writes people are truly in their “element” when they do things which represent an intersection between their passions and their abilities. Consider the following example where one of the two is absent. An individual is exceptional at math but is passionate about helping people. Crunching numbers alone at a workstation may come easy, but is not fulfilling. Conversely, this same person will not succeed as a social worker or therapist if he/she can only offer analysis when a client needs compassion or empathy.
Sir Ken goes on to explain people, when captive of a situation or environment which does not support their element, often exhibit behaviors which can be misinterpreted. He illustrates this situation with the story of a young boy who was a problem student. He would not pay attention to his teachers and would restlessly tap on his desk. Today, that child might be diagnosed as having ADHD and given Ritalin. Fortunately, they did not and that boy grew up to be Paul McCartney. The nervous tapping was a rhythmic response to the music in his head, a passion he pursued outside of school, listening to rock music and learning to play the guitar.
After showing a video of Sir Ken explaining the concept to students in my Imagination class at Miami University, I would give them the following exercise.
- Step #1: List five things you like to do.
- Step #2: List five things you are good at.
- Step #3: Identify three activities where you can match one item in Step #1 with one item in Step #2.
- Step #4: What do these activities in Step #3 have in common?
- Step #5: What careers or hobbies give you the best chance to pursue that common descriptor of your own “element?”
Which brings me to Donald J. Trump. Imagine as a sophomore or junior in college he is sitting in my classroom and doing this exercise. His worksheet would probably look something like this.
- STEP #1: Things I Like to Do
Make Money; Watch TV, Hang Out with Beautiful/Young Women, Play Golf, Eat Fast Food- STEP #2: Things I’m Good At
Marketing, Promoting Myself, Coming Up with New Scams, Taking Credit for Other People’s Work, Lying- STEP #3: Activities Which Include Items in #1 and #2
Public Speaking, Partying, Putting my Name on Things- STEP #4: What Do These Have in Common?
Being the center of attention.- STEP #5: Careers or Hobbies
Business CEO, Show Business, Playboy, Social Media Personality
I wrap up the session with three rhetorical questions. Would you say you are currently in your element? What should you be doing more of to achieve being in your element? What should you be doing less of which is taking you away from your element?
Why do I share this with you? Because it is one explanation for behavior which, on its surface, seems irrational. Trump’s constant tweeting, thumbs pounding on his (unsecured) iPhone keyboard, is akin to McCartney rapping on his classroom desk. Both were restless. Both really wanted to be doing something else. Neither was happy.
So when you hear someone ask, “Is Trump intentionally trying to lose the election by being oblivious to the health, economic and social crises we are experiencing? By promoting conspiracy theories? By challenging every political and Constitution norm?” The answer is probably a resounding, “YES!” His actions suggest he has taken my rhetorical questions at the end of the “element” exercise to heart. It is his way of finding the path on which he does less of those things he finds unpleasant or tedious, i.e. governance, national leadership, and more of those enjoyable things he is good at, being a modern day P. T. Barnum.
So, let’s help him find his element. On November 3rd, a vote for Joe Biden is an empathetic gesture on behalf of a restless, unhappy little boy who will be thrilled when school is over and he can pursue other activities without anyone constantly grading him (except maybe the New York Attorney General and the district attorney of the Southern District of New York). When his adoring fans are no longer viewed as voters, but customers for his next scam. After all, there should be a lot of surplus MAGA schlock (above) that will need to be disposed of. And as Barnum said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” And poor little (and maybe) rich boy Donny has cultivated millions of them.
For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP