Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under U.S. President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, the first African American to serve in that position. During his military career, Powell also served as National Security Advisor, as Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Commandand as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, holding the latter position during the Persian...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth5 April 1937
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
The essence of leadership is building bonds of trust in your organization.
Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.
The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise.
Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.
Luck tends to come to people who are prepared.
It takes more courage to send men into battle than to fight the battle yourself.
The person who will decide whether or not there will be war or peace is Saddam Hussein, and all he has to do is give up these terrible weapons that he has used to kill fellow Arabs, fellow Muslims in that part of the world, and to step away from his past behaviour which invaded neighbouring countries.
Strategy equals execution. All the great ideas and visions in the world are worthless if they can't be implemented rapidly and efficiently. Good leaders delegate and empower others liberally, but they pay attention to details, every day.
Respect for leaders by followers can't be mandated; it must be earned. It has to be given to leaders by their followers.
I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude.
No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.
Have a vision; but it's not enough to have a vision, you have to communicate that vision to others. You have to communicate it to people who work with you and for you. You have to communicate it to the world leaders with whom you come in touch.
Treat people kindly. When you are kind to somebody and I don't mean necessarily "buddy-buddy", just show kindness and consideration. Show that people are worthy and you respect them and you are glad they're with you.
Always focus on the front windshield and not the review mirror.