Colin Luther Powell was an American politician, statesman, and four-star general who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. He made history when he became the first African-American Secretary of State. He served as the 16th United States National Security Advisor from 1987 to 1989 and as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.
Powell was born in New York City in 1937 and was raised in the South Bronx. He was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held many command and staff positions and rose to the rank of four-star general. His term was highly controversial regarding his inaccurate justification for America’s Iraq War in 2003. He was forced to resign after Bush was reelected in 2004. Powell, who was being treated for blood cancer, died on October 18, 2021, from complications of COVID-19.
1 All work is honorable, Always do your best because someone is watching. -Colin Powell
Every job has its own dignity and honour. To think that one kind of work is shameful is stupid and reeks of privelege and elitism. Always do your best no matter what job it is. That is what work ethic is.
2 Never get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it. -Colin Powell
Always keep a pragmatic emotional attachment to your career. Never get too attached to your job. Attaching your ego to milestones like promotion and job selection can easily cause you to miss the influence opportunities you have right in front of you.
3 If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. -Colin Powell
Habits go a long way making you what you are. Our professions demand excellence, which is nothing more than a consistent string of small actions done properly. Cultivate good habits and you’ll inch closer to where you want to be.
4 Control enthusiasm in the face of victories, large or small. -Colin Powell
Never celebrate too soon. You never know when the tables turn. Your victory should just be a cue for you to try harder and aim higher.
5 Dig up all the information you can, then go with your instincts. -Colin Powell
There will never be enough information to guarantee a perfect decision. Make a decision only after you are well-informed of it. And never disregard what your instinct tells you.
6 Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites, Experts often possess more data than judgment. -Colin Powell
The truth is that experts aren’t always right. Yes, they have the information, but more than information, what you need is judgement and instincts. They may have the data and the schooling, but you also need the perspective.
7 Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world. -Colin Powell
It isn’t true that the elites and experts are always right. You can only do so much sitting in a room with people throwing around needless jargon. You need to experience the real world. Only then will you get the perspective that is needed.
8 There is no end to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit. -Colin Powell
So much of goodness is lost in this world because people are still hell-bent on taking credit for the work. People only care about the fame that comes along with it. In this generation, most of charity has become a tool for people to come into the limelight. That destroys the whole purpose of it. Care not for taking the credit but for doing good for goodness’ sake.
9 Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. -Colin Powell
Optimism can help you stay strong no matter what. It gives you strength and hope. Only those who are optimistic can truly inspire people to rally behind them.
10 Leadership is solving problems, The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. -Colin Powell
Leadership is about being there for your followers and solving their problems. You need to have the heart and strength to be there for them when they need you the most. Your job is done when you have taught them to be capable enough to face their own problems.
11 Never believe the first thing you hear. -Colin Powell
Not only is there always more to the story, there are more perspectives to consider. Never believe the first thing you hear because more often than not, they are just senseless rumours. Dig up the information and only then make an informed decision.
12 You don’t step on enthusiasm. -Colin Powell
It’s important for leaders to nurture their followers’ passion. They need to be encouraged for their initiative and shown that all of their contributions matter. Never step upon those who show enthusiasm. Nurture it and let it grow.
13 Never neglect small details, even to the point of being a pest. -Colin Powell
Never let small details go. Most of the time, there is more in the smallest of details than anywhere else. You need to analyse every perspective, every detail and every nook of a problem to be able to solve it effectively.
14 Moments of stress, confusion, and fatigue are exactly when mistakes happen. -Colin Powell
Mistakes often happen at times when there is confusion, stress and chaos. A leader need to be vigilant and always on alert. No matter how stressful the situation is, you need to be able to keep your presence of mind and always stay on alert.
15 And when everyone else’s mind is dulled or distracted, the leaders must be doubly vigilant. -Colin Powell
A leader should never let down his guard. He has to be always vigilant of any impending danger or possible mistake. It is when everyone is distracted and dulled that the leader has to be on alert.
15 Most Priceless Quotes By General Colin Powell
1. All work is honorable, Always do your best because someone is watching. -Colin Powell
2. Never get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it. -Colin Powell
3. If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. -Colin Powell
4. Control enthusiasm in the face of victories, large or small. -Colin Powell
5. Dig up all the information you can, then go with your instincts. -Colin Powell
6. Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites, Experts often possess more data than judgment. -Colin Powell
7. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world. -Colin Powell
8. There is no end to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit. -Colin Powell
9. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. -Colin Powell
10. Leadership is solving problems, The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. -Colin Powell
11. Never believe the first thing you hear. -Colin Powell
12. You don’t step on enthusiasm. -Colin Powell
13. Never neglect small details, even to the point of being a pest. -Colin Powell
14. Moments of stress, confusion, and fatigue are exactly when mistakes happen. -Colin Powell
15. And when everyone else’s mind is dulled or distracted, the leaders must be doubly vigilant. -Colin Powell