By Dean Tsouvalas

Like all of us, “The Donald” has seen better days, especially when you realize he’s down more than $1 billion from last year’s net worth. Despite these trying economic times, however, Trump continues to prove he’s a man of contrast. He sees opportunities where others don’t – just as he’s done since the start of his career. Never afraid to offer his opinion or adopt strategies that are often at odds with the financial establishment, Trump is a visionary.

In his new book, Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education In Business and Life, Trump offers a collection of short essays that summarize his singularly successful tenets on how to live the good life, both personally and professionally. Among his sage tidbits for both the accomplished and aspiring executive, he notes that when he begins a new endeavor he knows he has a lot to learn and becomes energized.

“Never think of learning as being a burden or studying as being boring. It may require some discipline, but it can be an adventure. It can also prepare you for a new beginning.”

Trump, Chairman and President of The Trump Organization and Executive Producer of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice, recently caught up with Exec Digital and shared his thoughts on his new book, the Bernie Madoff saga and the nation’s economic challenges.

Tell us about your new book: Think Like a Champion

Donald Trump: This book is very much a testament to the impact that mentoring can have on your life. My father, Fred C. Trump, was a wonderful mentor, both as an example and as a teacher. When I was in school, he would send me motivational quotes about leadership and success from a wide variety of great minds. As I would remember these, stories and examples would evolve that I felt would be helpful to other people as they helped me. I was fortunate to have my father, and I would hope these examples will help others as well. The topics covered are diverse and I believe helpful as well as interesting.

How do you “think like a champion?”

Champions work from a position of power. They want to do their very best and are very often their own best competition. They like to best themselves, which means their motivation comes from within. This is very important when trying to achieve something extraordinary, which champions often do.

One of your essays in the book is called “Give your higher self a chance.” What does that phrase mean to you?

That would be similar to the reasons a champion becomes a champion — they are employing their higher selves. It’s not so much to beat someone else as it is to do the best one can. It’s a matter of setting the bar for yourself and holding to that challenge. It can mitigate disappointment because the results aren’t always immediately achieved or the big picture revealed. Knots along the way can eventually deliver a fantastic tapestry of surprising results.

With that being said, what’s your take on Bernie Madoff?

I know people who have been victims of his unscrupulous scheme and what’s happened to them is dreadful. He is without a doubt a sleazebag and a scoundrel without par.

What do you believe the US Government and private industry can do to stabilize real estate prices and provide a foundation for economic recovery?

The banks have to start lending money again or nothing will get started toward a recovery. They have the money and there’s no point hoarding it; it will do no one any good.

Tell us your thoughts on the stimulus package?

It has its good points, but won’t be able to reach a substantial amount of people who could benefit from it. It has its limitations, but it’s a step in the right direction.

You recently bought an 800-acre golf club near Washington, DC, citing it’s the only city that is booming right now. What other cities do you think might be up and coming?

As the energy returns to a city, it becomes concentric and the results can be achieved quickly. It’s like an energy point that draws more energy into it with great results. Positive energy will hold the area. I know that New York City has great resources for rebound. California is diverse enough, and in the recent poll of most visited sites within the US, Boston was listed along with NYC, Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas, Florida and California (both Los Angeles and San Francisco) and those are permanent draws for tourists, which is always good to consider.

What is your theory behind your “think big” credo?

It’s more of an approach that saves time and keeps one from boxing in ideas that might be more effective if they were to be expanded. It’s a form of multi-level thinking. One thought leads to another, to another, and suddenly you have a vision or a plan that is more comprehensive than originally conceived.

What does bankruptcy mean to you?

Bankruptcy can be a tool for clearing up a situation and used as a technique for moving on in a better way. On the whole it’s best to be avoided. I tried recently to buy out the casinos in Atlantic City which they declined, and they went for bankruptcy instead. I stepped down from the board as I didn’t agree. We’ll see what happens; things have a way of working themselves out.

You’ve mentioned that one of the reasons you agreed to be a part of The Apprentice is for the educational subtext. Share some of the lessons we will learn this season?

Focus and team spirit will take a center place, which is often the case. We will see that while strong individual approaches are necessary, those who can manage to sustain that energy while applying it to the team good will have a better chance of doing well. The chemistry of why some groups work and some don’t is also interesting to note, and is a good business lesson. Not all terrific teams do well together. That’s life and that’s business. The mix is important sometimes it’s toxic and sometimes it can be worked out.

What do you think are some of the big trends for executives?

For those who weren’t inclined to pay close attention to global affairs, they will now have to realize that we’re all in this together. The domino effect of what’s happened in the financial sector worldwide has made that very clear. Talking about going global is no longer a choice, it’s here. They will also have to be more creative. Necessity is the mother of invention. That can be good news, and a positive view will help matters tremendously.

What advice can you give to other executives during this challenging economic time?

Being on high alert to every aspect of the economic sector nationally and internationally is crucial; that means hourly if not more often. It’s a bit of a storm we’re going through and there’s no room for down time or complacency on any level.