The President of the United States had a number of character traits that helped him succeed in his presidency. These traits included his ingenuity, down-to-earth demeanor, loyalty to journalists, and risk-taking. Let’s take a closer look at these traits and see how they shaped his presidency.
Ingenuity
Besides being bold, JFK also showed a keen sense of observation. He loved to explore new things and drilled down to the smallest detail to make his ideas work. This characteristic helped him make his senior thesis, “Why England Slept in 1940,” a best seller. His boldness was balanced by practicality and he used his observational skills to build strong bonds with others.
During the campaign, Kennedy’s use of feeling and action helped him gain popularity. He also managed to be inspirational and a refreshing change from Eisenhower. He was able to best illustrate his ingenuity and charisma in debates on television. His ability to communicate through body language, tonality, and content were most apparent during the debates with Nixon.
Down-to-earth demeanor
Among the many character traits that define John F. Kennedy are his down-to-earth demeanor and humility. The youngest President of the United States and the first Catholic elected to the office, Kennedy’s election reinforced the notion that a common man can become president.
Kennedy was also charismatic and charming, qualities that naturally come with an ESFP personality. He was also a talented communicator and a skilled public speaker. His famous speech is still remembered today. In his personal life, he had the capacity to inspire others, including his wife, who he was very close to.
As president of the United States, Kennedy made improving the lives of people around the world a priority. In fact, his Peace Corps initiative continues to help people throughout the world today. He also signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which helped to ease tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Loyalty to journalists
While the public might not have known about his father’s condition, John F. Kennedy displayed a number of character traits that would make him stand out in the current political climate. One of these traits is loyalty to journalists, which Kennedy exhibited throughout his public career. He was known to take one-to-two-hour naps after lunch. At the same time, he enjoyed exercising in the White House gym and swimming pool. His doctors prescribed these activities to help him deal with his backache. He also entertained many writers, celebrities and other VIPs. While he valued loyalty above all other qualities, he also had a preference for worldly aides.
Another trait that distinguishes JFK from his contemporaries is his affinity for New York media. He cultivated relationships with the city’s journalists and advisors and named his children after these people. As a result, he cultivated a sense of loyalty in his advisors and journalists. This allowed him to get a free pass from the press while never disclosing his extramarital affairs.
Risk-taking
Kennedy exhibited a high level of risk-taking ability. He was often willing to take risks in order to reach his goals. However, he had to know when to take a risk and when not to. As President, Kennedy was able to balance taking risks with his desire to be a good example for his country and fellow Americans.
As commander of a PT boat during World War II, John F. Kennedy took risks to save the lives of the men under his command. Although he had degenerative back problems and Addison’s disease, his bravery and commitment paid off. While the PT-109 was hit by a Japanese destroyer, Kennedy swam six miles with a badly burned man on his belt and returned to rescue his men.
Kennedy used a variety of leadership styles to achieve his goals. His ability to change people’s perceptions of the status quo motivated people to embrace his vision for the future. His promise to send Americans to the moon is an excellent example of this visionary style of leadership.