For 24 years, I’ve worked with teachers who are studying to become principals. I think a lot about what makes a leader effective and ethical. I think about this today as we choose a leader for America for the next four years.

A book called “Bad Leadership” has influenced my thinking about leadership. The author, Barbara Kellerman, tells us that without understanding types of bad leadership, it is impossible to really understand good leadership. Donald Trump embodies most of these bad leadership traits. Consequently, he is unfit to lead our nation and the world. He simply does not have the character to do so.

Mr. Trump is incompetent. Forty psychiatric doctors have expressed concern about Trump’s deteriorating mental state. He is self-centered, grandiose and cannot follow a train of thought. About half of his former cabinet, his Chief of Staff, and his Vice President, say that he’s not up to the job.

He is intemperate. His inability to temper his need to control women through rape and intimidation is one example. His pathological inability to tell the truth is another. The Washington Post’s fact checkers document 30,573 “untruths” during his presidency averaging over 20 lies a day. He still irrationally claims to have won the 2020 election.

He is callous. He has shown no empathy for women in medical crisis, asylum seekers who seek a better life, for the 400,000 Americans who died from his inaction regarding COVID, for Gold Star families, or for the officers who defended the Capitol from his insurrection on Jan. 6.

He is corrupt. He has been a scam artist since his earliest days in real estate. He only focuses on what each transaction can benefit him — he has no core values that guide is thinking. He has engaged in over 4,000 lawsuits. He is a convicted felon.

He is insular. Trump cannot tolerate diverse opinions. During his presidency he systematically fired all but those who flattered him and supported his thinking. His family played disproportionate roles in his administration further insulating him from diverse ideas.

This race should not be close. Our choice is between Kamala Harris, a highly competent, ethical and proven leader, and a flim-flam man who embodies the qualities of an ineffective, incompetent, and unethical leader.

Harry Chaucer

New Haven