Colin PowellColin PowellA Famous LeaderA Famous Leader

Power Point Presentation by Barrett Hampton

AMS 590-Operations Leadership

December 5th, 2013

Colin PowellColin PowellA little backgroundA little background

Born in Harlem, NY in April of 1937.Born in Harlem, NY in April of 1937.

Raised by immigrant parents in Bronx.Raised by immigrant parents in Bronx.

Education:Education: BS in Geology 1958 from City College of BS in Geology 1958 from City College of

NYNY MBA in 1971 from George Washington MBA in 1971 from George Washington

Uni.Uni.

(Powell, 1995)

“You will find an open style, you will find me bouncing in, you will find me wanting to talk to desk officers”

–Colin Powell (Harari, p.38, 2002)

Colin Powell’s reputation for being informed by those at the ground level is one of the more admirable traits of his leadership style. While most likely derived from his military background this same approach can be used in all avenues of life.

Rising through the Ranks Rising through the Ranks ROTC during undergrad years (1954-58)ROTC during undergrad years (1954-58) 22ndnd Lieutenant 1958 Lieutenant 1958 1962 Military Advisor in Vietnam1962 Military Advisor in Vietnam Promoted to Major (1966)Promoted to Major (1966) Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (1969)Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (1969) Full Colonel (1973)Full Colonel (1973) Brigade General (1978) Brigade General (1978) Lieutenant General (1986)Lieutenant General (1986) 4 Star General (1989)4 Star General (1989)

(Powell, 1995)

IncreasedIncreasedResponsibilities Responsibilities

11stst ARVN Division Headquarters - ARVN Division Headquarters - AdvisorAdvisor

Fort Benning – Infantry TrainerFort Benning – Infantry Trainer South Korea – Commander 1South Korea – Commander 1stst Battalion Battalion 101101stst Airborne – Lead Division Officer Airborne – Lead Division Officer Fort Carson - Asst. Division Commander Fort Carson - Asst. Division Commander

(Powell, 1995)

Powell’s Five Principles on Communications

Maintain a real, no b.s. open-door policy. Foster a noisy system. Use every means to encourage communication, never

let hierarchy get in the way. Use technology to improve communication Treat turf wars as the enemy of communication.

(Harari, 2002)

““I am what I am. If that sometimes puts me at odds with others, I am what I am. If that sometimes puts me at odds with others, then well, fine.” –Colin Powell then well, fine.” –Colin Powell (Harari, p.103, 2002)

The first and primary task to be sought out by any leader is achievement (Powell, 2012). Achievement oriented decisions are what worked for him in five very different White House administrations.

Leading through Leading through ChangesChanges

Consistent Achievement creates Consistent Reliability

Working with Presidential Working with Presidential Administrations Administrations

Nixon: White House Fellow in Nixon: White House Fellow in the Office of Management and Budgetthe Office of Management and Budget Carter: Senior Assistant to deputy Carter: Senior Assistant to deputy

secretary of defense.secretary of defense. Reagan: Senior Military AssistantReagan: Senior Military Assistant G.H.W. Bush: Chairman of Joint ChiefsG.H.W. Bush: Chairman of Joint Chiefs Clinton: Chairman of Joint ChiefsClinton: Chairman of Joint Chiefs G.W. Bush: Secretary of StateG.W. Bush: Secretary of State(Powell, 2012)(Powell, 2012)

Powell’s Four Principles on Challenge

Challenge the pros to get better solutions. Emphasize dignity, respect, and honor while

disagreeing. Be Patient. Build a setting in which all feel free to speak out.

(Harari, 2002)

““Leadership will always require people who are able to organize Leadership will always require people who are able to organize the effort of (others) to accomplish the objectives that flow from the effort of (others) to accomplish the objectives that flow from

the vision” the vision” –Colin Powell –Colin Powell (Harari, p.126, 2002)

These words are a reflection of the style approach in which Colin Powell leads. His intent is that a leader should understand that it takes all people involved to achieve goals and that the ability to focus them is the core of leadership.

Powell’s Principles on People

Count on people more than plans or structures. Assume that people are competent, and that

every job counts, until proven otherwise. Spend at least 50% of your time on people. View people as partners, regardless of their

place in hierarchy. Become a servant leader. Work for your people.

(Harari, 2002)

Servant LeadershipServant Leadership Servant leaders put their people’s needs Servant leaders put their people’s needs

before their own (Northouse, 2013).before their own (Northouse, 2013). Can have a lasting positive effectCan have a lasting positive effect Decisions are grounded in ethicsDecisions are grounded in ethics

Colin Powell’s perception on leaders is that Colin Powell’s perception on leaders is that they are nothing without their followers they are nothing without their followers (Powell, 2012).(Powell, 2012). Once took 20 minutes just to say thank you to Once took 20 minutes just to say thank you to

State employees at Israeli airport.State employees at Israeli airport. Historically known to push hard for employee Historically known to push hard for employee

training & management development.training & management development.

Powell Points on Picking People

Intelligence Judgment Capacity to anticipate Loyalty Integrity High energy Balanced ego Drive to get things done(Harari, 2002)

Powell’s Leadership Belief

“The leader sets an example. Whether in the Army or in civilian life, the other people in the organization that their cue from the leader—not from what the leader says but from what the leader does”

–Colin Powel (Harari, p.249, 2002).

What’s in a

Title?

Colin Powell is known for not placing a lot of value on fancy titles. There are plenty of non-leaders that may be listed higher up on an organizational chart but they usually have little to no influence on others around them (Powell, 2012).

Just a few awards for Excellence

1st Purple Heart – Injured in Vietnam War 2nd Purple Heart – Pulled 2 people from

helicopter crash Bronze Star Presidential Citizens Medal National Defense Service Medal Presidential Metal of Freedom (1991, 93)

PartingPrinciples

Strive for Balance (Work, Home, Family) Have fun in your command Don’t clock hours for hours’ sake (take earned

leave) Make it a priority to create a balanced, fun

environment for others (work hard, play hard)

(Harari, 2002)

Why Colin Powell?

Colin Powell rose up from a modest living to become one of the world’s most recognized American leader. His consistent actions were always in line with his words. This type of approach not only earned him many awards and recognitions but it has lasted through many Whitehouse administrations. He is arguably the best living example of leadership in America.

Harai, O. (2002). The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell. New York, NY: McGraw-Hil

Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and practice (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc

Powell, C., Persico, J. (1995). My American Journey. New York, NY: Random House

Powell, C., Kotzen, T. (2012). It worked for me: In life and leadership. NY: Harper.

“Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off”

–Colin Powell (Harari, p.30, 2002)

References