GEN Colin Powell "A Leadership Primer"

2014-09-03T23:41:44-04:00

I am sure most of you Army folk have seen GEN Powell's Power Point called "A Leadership Primer". Just wanted to share it with those that have not seen it. I have given the presentation to some Chief Petty Officer Selects this year as a teach back.

I understand that it is a long read, but it is worth it. I always have had, and continue to have the utmost respect for GEN Powell.

If anyone wants the full Power Point message me and I will email it to you.

Lesson 1.
"Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off."

Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It's inevitable, if you're honorable. Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you'll avoid the tough decisions, you'll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted, and you'll avoid offering differential
rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset. Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally "nicely" regardless of their contributions, you'll simply ensure that the only people you'll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization.

Lesson 2
"The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the
day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost
confidence that you can help them or concluded that you
do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."

Lesson 3
"Don't be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often
possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so
inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death
as soon as they are nicked by the real world."

Lesson 4
Don't be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard."

Lesson 5
"Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled
or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant."

Lesson 6
"You don't know what you can get away with until you try."

Lesson 7
"Keep looking below surface appearances. Don't shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."

Lesson 8
"Organization doesn't really accomplish anything. Plans
don't accomplish anything, either. Theories of management
don't much matter. Endeavors succeed or fail because of
the people involved. Only by attracting the best people will
you accomplish great deeds."

Lesson 9
"Organization charts and fancy titles count for next to nothing."

Lesson 10
"Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it."

Lesson 11
"Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management
fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission."

Lesson 12
"Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier."

Lesson 13
"Powell's Rules for Picking People:”
Look for intelligence and judgment, and most critically,
a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also
look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced
ego, and the drive to get things done.

Lesson 14
"Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand."

Lesson 15
Part I: "Use the formula P=40 to 70, in which P stands for the probability of success and the numbers indicate the percentage of information acquired.”
Part II: "Once the information is in the 40 to 70 range, go with your gut."

Lesson 16
"The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise."

Lesson 17
"Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you've earned it: Spend time with your families. Corollary: surround yourself with people who take their
work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard."

Lesson 18
"Command is lonely."

“Leadership is the art of accomplishing
more than the science of management
says is possible.”

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 12:23 AM

2014-09-04T00:23:14-04:00

Send it brother! I like reading Colin's stuff!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 12:36 AM

2014-09-04T00:36:18-04:00

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member. I would appreciate a copy. Sandy

p.s. Please send to personal email [login to see]

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 12:54 AM

2014-09-04T00:54:33-04:00

Would you please send my way?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 4 at 2014 7:39 AM

2014-09-04T07:39:18-04:00

This is one of those timeless classics that can not be shared enough. I've seen it countless times, and each time I see it I still read it as if it were the first time. Such simple wisdom!

Response by CPT Robert Skinner made Sep 4 at 2014 8:51 AM

2014-09-04T08:51:30-04:00

To Whom it may concern:

I wholeheartedly accept the position that General Powell was a great leader. However, statements, and admissions through the press I don't believe leadership was displayed. Let me explain, this isn't partisan, it's leadership 101.

1. Knowingly mislead the public and UN about weapons of mass destruction. If you know it isn't true, yet you go party line, you failed your subordinates even if means you lose a job. #5000+ lost their lives because of this miscalculation. I understand many people believed Sadaam had weapons of mass destruction. It was the Secretary of States job to know period. I also know I wasn't privilege or had a need to know clearance, but I was ordered to go.

The Secretary Powell claimed to be Republican for 30 plus years, then played racial politics when President Obama was running for Presidency. Isn't that compromising your principals and core belief. However, that being said, given that President Obama was going to be the first Bi-racial President, I can understand, but at least say you're doing it for that reason.

You obviously can't say he doesn't love our country, but I think he compromised these principles and/or leadership traits, once he accepted the position of Secretary of State and there after in his retirement.

If this is the wrong thread, I apologize, but it is my two cents.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 11 at 2014 2:37 PM

2014-10-11T14:37:11-04:00

Senior Chief,

I don't know how to message you, but I'm interested in receiving the slideshow. My email address is [login to see] . By the way, that's awesome that you are prior Air Force!

JB

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Sep 26 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-09-26T10:25:07-04:00

I've not read General Colin Powell's book, SCPO Private RallyPoint Member, but I did get to meet him (well, shake his hand)!
General Powell's wife is a graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, and he was the commencement speaker there on May 4, 1992. I don't know how it was arranged, but our USAR unit, the 125th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) was drilling the weekend prior (2-3MAY) and he came by and spoke to us. I can't even remember what he said, but we were all spellbound by his presentation.
The security surrounding his arrival and departure was wild. The Secret Service (or something like them) showed up an hour or so before and searched the building. No one was allowed to enter or leave the building for an hour before and after his departure.
It was an interesting visit from a most interesting man.