How Hillary Clinton Undermined Her Own Success and Lost the White House

Hillary Clinton must be wondering why she lost the election while being the favorite and front-runner for most of the campaign.

How did this happen?

Hillary must look inwards to who she is and see that she did not master the strengths and struggles of her natural, “hard-wired”, Strategist DNA Behavioral Style .

These behavioral insights identify the primary drivers of her good (and bad) leadership decisions, financial dealings and general approach to life.

"The truth is that sometimes it is hard, even for me, to recognize the Hillary Clinton that other people see." - Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton’s Strategist behavioral style has made her successful, but with blind-spots that were clearly not managed, and therefore, her downfall. How Hillary Clinton Undermined Her Own Success:

Skeptical, and not transparent with information

Questioning, guarded, wary, and controlling

Not a good listener

Unable to relationally connect to people and feel what they are feeling

Very self-reliant and operates based on her own thinking

Structured, but potentially too rigid with plans

Quite cautious and not prepared to take strategic risks

For a smart, politically seasoned woman it’s fair to say that Hillary Clinton got in the way of her own success. Hillary Clinton’s behavioral insights reflect that she could be seen as cold and unapproachable as well as untrustworthy and dishonest, and did not do enough to allay these opinions.

Her personality showed her to be aloof and less willing to make changes, yet had she understood how others saw her. She could have managed her reflective behavior more effectively.

Clinton’s need for information and analysis gave the impression she was more focused on numbers and following a structured plan than on voter’s needs. Having insight into other’s perceptions would have ensured that her messaging was warmer and more empathetic. Furthermore, she could have gone deeper into the heartland where Trump went and secured the support of the disenfranchised white voter.

One clear issue that showcases how Clinton got in the way of her own success was an arrogant belief that she was taking for granted the presidential win, simply because her message was clear and candid. But had she known that her ability to listen empathetically to the people was very low, she could have changed her messaging to be significantly more heartfelt and managed her lack of empathy.

There is no doubt Clinton has the ability to take charge. The question is, does she have the personality to bring others along with her? With a tendency to keep information to herself and to invest little or no time in building meaningful relationships, it’s fair to say that her leadership style would be aloof and non-inclusive, which would certainly alienate team members.

When you are seeking to engage others with your plans and agendas; when you need others to deliver goals and your vision, failing to understand that a personality that is reflective, task focused, and overly serious about facts & figures, yet highly competitive, can be viewed as distant, cold and unapproachable.

Further demonstration that Clinton got in the way of her own success is her tendency to prefer tried and tested solutions. At a time when the people were looking for a change from the status quo, she did not understand that her lack of creativity presented her as gray and boring.

Clinton v Trump – The Comparison

66/98 Clinton will make considered decisions; appearing to be hesitant, requiring more and more information which could appear to be procrastinating. Trump will make fast decisive decisions; sometimes getting it wrong but always moving forward.

96/73 Clinton follows the rules to get the results she needs. Trump will break down boundaries and not wait to anticipate outcomes

54/99 Clinton tends towards keeping things as they are; avoids moving away from tried and tested ways of proceeding. Trump is all about doing whatever possible in achieving goals

95/62 Clinton will stick to agreed direction and agendas to achieve goals, even if they are not working out. Trump will change direction mid-stream if a different plan brings success.

66/92 Clinton is stuck in the status quo. Trump is open to new ideas if it achieves his goals.

66/90 Clinton needs details, analysis, and research to make decisions. Trump is not into the details, just the results.

79/90 Clinton is less forthright with communicating, which might cause confusion in mixed messaging. Trump is clear and forthright in expressing and communicating.

79/96 Clinton is less comfortable with conflict. Trump is not fazed by conflict and a dirty campaign.

90/84 Clinton is motivated by personal interest without regard for others. Trump the same.

92/90 Clinton is disinterested in other’s problems.

90/92 Neither are empathetic towards issues others face.

Hillary Clinton is calm and controlled in her behavior; appearing remote and superior. Her inability to understand her personality, or have the behavioral insights to be able to manage it, so people could see the strengths and talents as a leader cost her the White House.