Are you the Trump or Harris of communications?

Did you pay attention to the communication style of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris? I mean, how could you not?! It was the clash of the titans! Two icons of political communication, sparring in the wild, wild world of public opinion. And yes, it was a battlefield.

He came armed with a flamethrower and a thesaurus of superlatives, while she wielded a comforting hug and a bumper sticker that read “Empathy Rules.”

Here’s a humorous look at what would happen if both these titans ever crossed over into the hallowed halls of corporate communications.

Round 1: The Power of Directness vs. The Art of Inclusivity

Imagine Trump as the corporate communicator—no waiting, no fluff, straight to the point (or at least, his point). His style is like a cannonball aimed directly at the target. He wants everything to be “tremendous,” “incredible,” or, if the stakeholders are unlucky, “the worst in history.” You can’t ignore him!

But, if Kamala Harris was the corporate communicator, she would waltz into the same meeting with a megawatt smile and the practiced empathy of your favourite therapist. Her sentences are slower. It is like a good stew simmering for hours. She’s not in a rush to come to the point; instead, she’s marshalling her support from business leaders, ready to ensure every word has been carefully seasoned with consideration. The result? The conversation is inclusive. People feel seen and heard.

Round 2: Repetition vs. Storytelling

If you are someone who loves to repeat your point again and again, and again. And again. And sometimes, just for effect, in ALL CAPS., you have the Trump style of communication!  This may have no class but hey, the message sticks and will run in your head long after the board meeting ends, whether you want it to or not.

Kamala, meanwhile, would rather spin a tale. Voice modulation, leaning in, non verbal cues – she sure knows how to captivate the audience. If she were to present quarterly corporate earnings, you can be sure you will be taken through all the tiny things that happened during the quarter.

Round 3: Social Media Smackdowns – Loud vs. Lyrical

Imagine Trump handling your company’s social media account: it’d be like a daily fireworks display, full of live commentary on everything from new product launches to his thoughts on the rival CEO’s haircut. His philosophy? Engage first, fact-check later (if ever).

The social media posts of Kamala would radiate positivity, as soothing as a herbal tea commercial. The posts would have positive hashtags like #Hope, #Unity, and #ListeningToAllVoices. She’d be the corporate social media manager who celebrates team achievements, praises the community, and somehow makes the company feel like it’s personally invested in ending world hunger.

Round 4: Authenticity – “Unfiltered” vs. “Filtered Through a Cozy Blanket of Warmth”

Imagine Trump at a shareholder meeting: he’d probably open with “I’m going to be blunt,” then proceed to announce a 30% cost-cutting initiative by cutting all the chairs in the boardroom. Efficiency! This kind of bold authenticity may be charming in the beginning but it could get dangerous down the line.

Kamala, by contrast, would sprinkle her speech with a pause, a well-placed sigh, and the power of eye contact. Her tone would be polished and dripping with “I’m here for you.” At a shareholder meeting, she’d take the time to walk everyone through changes, using phrases like “we’re in this together” and “your voices matter.”

You need not necessarily be Trump or Harris when it comes to your communication style.What you can do though is to blend both these styles in the right dosage for long-term success.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl is an alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Swedish Institute of Management Program. An experienced and versatile leader, she comes with nearly four decades of professional experience. She has over the years successfully overseen the communications and public affairs function and led the corporate social responsibility strategy for Bayer South Asia, Pfizer, and Monsanto, among others. Sarita has held multiple roles across diverse industries, the public sector, trade associations, MNCs, and the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of interest include advocacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and communications.

As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.