Posted on 09/24/2013 3:55:16 AM PDT by Kaslin
The other day, I was thinking about leaders, in everything from the White House to my own house to countries such as Syria to companies such as Apple.
I was reflecting upon revolutionaries, from Nelson Mandela to Rosa Parks to the single parent of three who inspires her or his children with hard work and tough love.
I was contemplating the power of influence and influencers who make a difference by their command and control to others who demand respect with their silence and servitude.
From Jesus to James Dean and prosperity to prowess, leaders and what attracts others to them may vary, but one constant remains the same: Everything rises and falls on leadership, as Dr. John Maxwell has put it.
Leadership has built the biggest empires. It has collapsed the greatest corporations. It can unify diversity or divide unity. It can cast visions, catalyze movements, coalesce people and revolutionize industries and culture. Or it can run an organization and country into the ground by hardly trying or making a few wrong moves.
And you get what you pay for in leadership, not just in monetary terms but in quality of leader replication and organizational development. There is a direct correlation between the health and potential of an organization's leaders and how far their subordinates and the organization can soar. Fudge on leadership and a company will falter, plain and simple. Morality, magnanimity and mistakes all metastasize under the levels of leaders. For an enterprise cannot grow greater, wider or deeper than the person at the top.
No leader is perfect, and everyone has his or her flaws. But those who have gained my respect are those who have proved themselves through the test of time and results.
One of those is Gen. Colin Powell.
You may not agree with his politics. You may not like all his moral stances. You may assail him for his entanglements in the Middle East. Or you may say Washington's marginalizing Powell was a big mistake.
But you can't deny his stellar career as a leader par excellence. After his four decades of military service -- beginning at age 17 as a Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadet -- this retired four-star general in the U.S. Army also served in four presidential administrations, including being the first African-American to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as secretary of state.
And whether you believe that Powell had a tryst with a female Romanian diplomat or not, you can't deny the power of his 50-year marriage to his beloved Alma or his fatherhood to their three successful adult children -- Michael, the current president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Linda, a professional actress, and Annemarie, a television producer.
One of the things I love about Colin Powell is that he won't be controlled or pigeonholed in life or leadership. His service spans from his service to his country to speaking this past year through TED about how "kids need structure"; his talk is a must-watch 17-minute video that would serve any patriot, parent or leader of children.
In Powell's most recent book, "It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership," Chapter 21, titled "What I Tell My New Aides," has some excellent leadership tenets any boss or leader would want subordinates to know about himself or herself. It also conveys principles and qualities every follower would want in a healthy leader.
Here are 11 of Powell's principles for cohesive leadership and staff relations:
--"Don't ever hesitate to ask me what to do if uncertain.
--"I'm a people/phone junkie. I like to remain enormously accessible.
--"Avoid "The General Wants" syndrome -- unless I really do
--"Don't ever sign my name, or for me.
--"Provide feedback, but be tactful to those who ask -- talks between you and me are private and confidential.
--"Never keep anyone waiting on the phone -- call back.
--"I like meetings generally uninterrupted. I ask a lot of questions. I like questions and debates.
--"Be punctual; don't waste my time.
--"I prefer written information to oral. Writing encourages discipline.
--"Make sure correspondence is excellence. No split infinitives.
--"Never, never permit illegal or stupid actions. Any questions?"
And also worth their leadership weight in gold are Powell's general Thirteen Rules, which he elaborates on in the first section of his book:
--"It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
--"Get mad, then get over it.
--"Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
--"It can be done!
--"Be careful what you choose. You may get it.
--"Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.
--"You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.
--"Check small things.
--"Share credit.
--"Remain calm. Be kind.
--"Have a vision. Be demanding.
--"Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.
--"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."
Your role models may not include Powell, but it's critical for all of us to have them -- mentors we look up to for the variety of roles and responsibilities we assume in this life.
They are those who inspire us, as well as take us to task and challenge our most dogged dogma. They may be those we know or those we never have met -- those who are living or dead. But they are always those who shape and influence our lives. They are our leaders, though they even may be our subordinates, too. The proof is in the pudding: We are whom we are around.
Don't ever forget this: Everything rises and falls on leadership. As the leaders go, there goes the household, company or nation.
As Colin Powell once put it, "leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible."
Supporting an American hating pig like Baraka Hussein Obama says far more about Powell than any thing he ever wrote or spoke.
I agree
Kaslin - I hope you are well. Thank you for posting this. As Norris wrote, there may be ample reason to disagree with Powell’s politics and positions. I do. But when it comes to leadership, There are lessons that can be learned.
Again, thank you, my FRiend.
Gwjack
You are very welcome.
Hey Chuck, Powell is a douchebag Obamalover and Mandela is a terrorist.
See :#6
Please don’t fail to heed the message by slaying the messenger! Even the most detestable of humans (?) are worthy of examination. Give credit, when credit is due. Strive to recognize brilliance - not keep oneself sheltered without curiosity.
Sorry, I’m always willing to learn how I can improve my skillset. I think it is part of growing and maturing.
Gwjack
“...Give credit, when credit is due. ...”
While what you say is true and I do agree with you, Powell lost ALL credibility with me when he came out in direct support of O.
Powell’s endorsement of O was a huge disappointment. A military man, trained to find, fix, and reduce an enemy, Powell was part of the Cold War against communism. And then he goes and supports - in spite of ALL information out there and available - a guy who believes in the same damn ideology he was trained to destroy, and who hates the military.
And while I do understand that “this is the first black president” and Powell is black, I’d have thought that, as an American first, he’d support anyone BUT Obie.
But... ok, on the first go-around, I can see it. “Let’s give the new guy a chance.” I’d heard that a hundred times from folks during the election - typically people who aren’t paying much attention. People who believe in giving everyone a fair shot without realizing how much the rules have been skewed.
But Powell continuing to support Obie into the second term - in light of the national disaster this resident and his party has caused, just makes it even worse.
If he had a shred of integrity, he’d have stood up himself as a candidate - rather than Romney - and run against Obama. I would have supported him whole-heartedly. Hell, he could have run as a Democrat in a primary against O. That would have given him some credibility with me.
And while yes, he may have good “leadership” skills... in this case, it’s appears that it’s his judgement and loyalty that is lacking.
Just my two cents.
Yeah, and then there’s that...
Memories are very short on this thread, you should see the videos of him on the libs sites that turn up with google.
I believe you.
You got my point, though, RE his judgement.
Sheesh! The comments on this thread.
Norris should have just posted the 24 Principles and left Powell’s name out of this.
Too many knee-jerkers here ignored the sound values and just went moon-bat crazy cause Colin Powell was mentioned.
Condi at least shows dignity and doesnt get down in the mud-slinging like Powell does. She may like Obama but she shows class unlike Powell.
Powell is little better than Sharpton is now, and he gets introduced as a Republican every show he goes on when he calls us intolerant racists.
Like I said... his judgement AND loyalty is questionable.
“What I Tell My New Aides”
These are instructions to a butler.
"You may not agree with his politics. You may not like all his moral stances. You may assail him for his entanglements in the Middle East. Or you may say Washington's marginalizing Powell was a big mistake."
"But you can't deny his stellar career as a leader par excellence."
Yes, I can, Chuck. He's a racist, a sexist and a traitor.
HA!
I knew and unfortunately, worked for many like him in my 20 years...
They figured out early on how to assume the philosophies and idealogies of others and then surround themselves with folks who were actually capable of implementing all those things Powell is given credit for, all the while, rarely, if ever, giving credit where credit is due.
IOW, he used his people as rungs in his ladder up the chain.
Spit!
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