Colin Powell's Career Choices

In 1963 Colin Powell served his first tour in south Vietnam. After his injury He received a purple heart and a bronze star for his service. During his second tour he was assigned as an investigator for the My Lai Massacre. He was injured again during a helicopter crash. Despite his injury he was able rescue his fellow soldiers from the wreckage. From this tour he was awarded 11 various decorative medals.

His childhood trip North with his uncle, being introduced to and inspired by Dr. King after hearing his sermon on the radio, returning to Nashville after being unable to attend Troy State, and finally his first arrest, all influenced his direction and philosophy towards the methods he would implement in his pursuit of equality. Further, they paved the way for opportunities that would lead him to becoming a prominent leader of the civil rights movement. And whether you believe in coincidence, fate or the “spirit of history”; it’s hard to deny that these moments were critical in shaping the man he is

Most people recognize Colin Powell as one of the most admired and popular leaders of our time. Often times in leadership you will not always be popular or admired, so what makes this leader different? It was those core values ingrained in him at early age by his parents that would shape him as a future leader (Koltz & Powell, 2012). As with any great leader he’s had his fair share of trials and tribulations, but like an infantry officer he continued to press forward. Colin Powell has been a visionary and ethical leader since the early days of Persian Gulf to Washington’s corridors (Roth, 1993). Throughout my research he has become a personal inspiration for me due to his ability to inspire and motivate those around him. Let’s take a brief look into his background to provide a better understanding of his leadership style.

He was able to take leaps in an industry when African Americans were not afforded the opportunities other races were privileged to partake in. During this era segregation was prevalent. African Americans

General Colin Powell did the Commencement speech at Howard University on May 25, 1994. He did the speech after a cloud of controversy had happen at the university. A racist Black Muslim made a speech at Howard University. Howard policy is that anybody can express his or her freedom of speech on there campus. As you can figure out, the white community did not think of that very well. Connie Chung did a report saying that Howard University was a racist institution. All of this pressure was coming down at once. Howard said that they did not agree with the Black Muslims beliefs but will let them speak and express their opinions.

Some People if they hear his name Colin Powell they say who is that but he is well known for being secretary of state and serving in the army and saving his friends for a burning helicopter. He joined the ROTC after college

After graduating from Liberty, Rich enrolled at Penn State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education (Social Sciences). While at Penn State, he joined the ROTC and upon graduation received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army and was subsequently promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Captain.

“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.” This quote is profound in it’s own right but does it portray an author who is ethical and visionary? Could a man become a four-star general, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State without holding these principles near and using them as a guide? As we explore Colin Powell’s legacy, we’ll find out.

Powell chose a military path when he was in college. He had been accepted at New York University where tuition was $750 a year, but City College of New York required only a

The first African American to be the U.S. Secretary of State was Colin Powell. Powell was born on April 5, 1937 in New York. The high school that Colin Powell went to was Morris High School in New York. Colin studied geology and that’s when he found his passion. He was in the Reserved Officers Training Corps, later he became a commander of a unit. This is what led him to his experience on a military career and gave him direction of his life. After Colin’s graduation in 1958, he became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was wounded by a punji- stick booby trap while patrolling the Vietnam border in Laos. Also during a tour he was injured in a helicopter crash. Even though of his injuries he still managed to rescue his comrades from a burning

He attended West Point and graduated from there in 1915. He served in a variety of training duties during World War I. He was promoted to Promoted Major in 1920.(Dupuy, Johnson, Bongard 236) He graduated from the top of his class at the Command and General Staff School. He served under General Douglas McArthur in the office of the chief of staff in the Philippines. He was promoted to Major General in December of 1944. He was the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during D-Day in 1944. He commanded until the

One does not get promoted to a four star general and get the responsibility to defend our nation without being great military leader. He was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Texas and graduated a year prior to the former first lady was Laura Bush. His first commission was in 1967 as a field artillery officer and was sent to Vietnam where he earned three purple hearts and several awards for valor. After Vietnam his assignments included West Germany (during the cold war) Korea and the deserts of Arabia. These assignments gave him the knowledge and experience that would later lay the groundwork for his future mission of defending the United States against the war on terror.

brave and determined to get freedom for African Americans. One way was by leading marches like the March on Washington, Selma to Montgomery, and the Montgomery bus boycott. Although he still had taken part of other events these were the biggest reasons that led to the free rights of African Americans. He was brave walking through the crowds yelling how he couldn't, still he kept walking. He was determined to one day that all men would be equal, and he achieved his right to be equal.

This shows how respected he was among the Washington staff. This also shows the competence, candor, and integrity Powell posses throughout his term in Washington D.C. Colin Powell continues to advance through the ranks and through the staff jobs he was appointed to. He then served as senior military aide to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, helping to coordinate the invasion of Granada and the bombing of Libya (Biography.com, 2010). To help coordinate these attacks would have to take great courage, because there’s always a chance of casualties. He commits to these plans and excels with both operations.

General Powell displays transformation leadership through individualized consideration. “IC involves dealing with others as individuals and considering their needs, abilities, and aspirations as you work together to further their development.” General Powell’s Army background influences the idea of taking raw iron and fashioning it into a sword; as noted in his quote “leaders are made, not born” implies leadership is a shaping process. Transformational leaders who display individual consideration tend to coach and mentor, excel in two-way communications, listens effectively, and personalize interactions with subordinates. Part of General Powell’s principle of empowerment is an investment in the leadership potential of team members. This investment is necessary in sustaining productive organizations.