As I was driving in to work this morning, I received word of Colin Powell’s passing. I never knew him nor never met him, but he was someone I admired from a distance. Do I agree with him on everything? No. But to be honest, there are probably few people I do agree with on everything. I vividly remember while being a senior in high school the military operation known as Operation Desert Storm. I sat in front of the TV with amazement as we literally watched a war being fought in real-time right in front of our eyes. Granted, it was a pretty one-sided affair as the American military showcased their new “stealth” aircraft. Something else I remember during this time was the press conferences with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell. He would speak with such confidence, wisdom, and clarity. It was enough to capture the attention of an eighteen-year-old. For whatever reason, Powell was someone that always fascinated me.
Powell was born in 1937 and raised in New York City. Upon graduating from college, oddly with a geology degree, he was a professional soldier for 35 years and rose to the rank of four-star general and Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command. In the early-90s, he was courted by both the Republicans and the Democrats to run for political office. Eventually declaring himself a Republican in the mid-90s, many encouraged him to run as an opponent of Bill Clinton in the 1996 presidential election. He decided not to run for any political office. It is interesting that even though he was not on the ballot, he won the New Hampshire Vice-Presidential primary on write-in votes. Under President George W. Bush, Powell served as Secretary of State which was allowed him to become the highest-ranking African-American public official to date in the country, standing fourth in the presidential line of succession. He was instrumental in the post-September 11 management of the United States’ relationships with foreign countries.
Upon hearing of his death, former president George Bush stated,
“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell. He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam. Many Presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience. He was National Security Adviser under President Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under my father and President Clinton, and Secretary of State during my Administration. He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”
After arriving at my office, I pulled one of his books off my shelf. I first read It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership probably five or six years ago. I remembered that he listed what was known as his rules for leadership at the front of the book. If you haven’t read the book, it is worth the purchase just for Chapter 1, which he titles “My Thirteen Rules.” I will summarize them for you here.
1. It Ain’t as Bad as You Think! It Will Look Better in the Morning.
This rule reflects an attitude and not a prediction. Leaving the office with a winning attitude affects more than you alone; it also conveys that attitude to your followers. Why will things get better? Because you will make them better.
2. Get Mad Then Get Over It.
Everyone gets mad but staying mad is never useful. Instead of letting anger destroy you, use it to make constructive change.
3. Avoid Having Your Ego So Close to your Position that When Your Position Falls, Your Ego Goes with It.
In other words, accept that your position was faulty, not your ego. Keep your ego in check, and know that you can lead from wherever you are.
4. It Can be Done.
Again, this is more about attitude than reality. Always start out believing you can get it done until facts and analysis pile up against it. Leaders make things happen.
5. Be Careful What You Choose. You May Get It.
Don’t rush into things. Usually, there is time to examine the choices and think through the consequences. You will have to live with your choices.
6. Don’t Let Adverse Facts Stand in the Way of a Good Decision.
Superb leadership is often a matter of superb instinct. When faced with a tough decision, use the time available to gather information that will inform your instinct.
7. You Can’t Make Someone Else’s Choices. You Shouldn’t Let Someone Else Make Yours.
As a leader, ultimate responsibility is yours. Make sure the choice is yours, and you are not responding to the pressures and desires of others. It does not mean that you make decisions on your own, you should still seek advice, but be aware there will always be plenty of people to “help” you make your decisions.
8. Check Small Things.
Small actions can result in large consequences. Success ultimately rests on small things, lots of small things.
9. Share Credit.
When something goes well, make sure to share the credit down and around the whole organization. Let all employees believe they were the ones who did it. People need recognition and a sense of worth as much as they need food and water.
10. Remain calm. Be kind.
Few people make sound or sustainable decisions in an atmosphere of chaos. Establish a calm zone while maintaining a sense of urgency. Calmness protects order, ensures that we consider all the possibilities, restores order when it breaks down, and keeps people from shouting over each other.
11. Have a Vision. Be Demanding.
Followers need to know where their leaders are taking them and for what purpose. Purpose is the destination of a vision. Leaders must embed their own sense of purpose into the heart and soul of everyone they lead. To achieve his purpose, a successful leader must set demanding standards and make sure they are met.
12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
Fear is a normal emotion. We can learn to be aware when fears grips us, and we can train to operate through and in spite of our fear. If we don’t control our fear, it will paralyze us, and we cannot lead. Same for naysayers. Their fear and cynicism move nothing forward. How many cynics built great empires, great cities, or powerful corporations?
13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.
Perpetual optimism, believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence is a force multiplier. If you believe and have prepared your followers, your followers will believe.
This article was originally posted at randyharp.net and can be viewed by clicking here.