Retired General Colin Powell Essay

Colin Powell’s “It Worked For Me in Life and Leadership” (2012) is a riveting book that discusses in great detail the simple but often-fundamental leadership principles that have been consigned to oblivion by most people and leaders. The evocative book provides a basis on which one can evaluate their strengths and weaknesses in leadership in all dimensions, particularly at the work place and suggests other areas of improvement that the reader can asses to ensure proper development. Through careful, frequent and honest evaluations from both self and others, it is possible for a person to become the best version of himself or herself; in turn, this contributes to a well-rounded leader.

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.

Despite having dealt with unwritten laws known as the, “Jim Crow” laws, many African American Soldiers still decided, without being drafted, to enlist in the military, only to be met with more segregation, separation and deference. Many of them worked in supporting roles in the service. One such supporting role was called the Service Force. George was one of those soldiers serving in the Service Force. George believes the Service Force was just as important as any other role in the military. He states, “I can work with a certain satisfaction that my work behind the ‘lines’ is the only direct support that the men ‘Up Front’ have.” I believe George had the hoped that when returning from the War, African Americans would have earned equality and respect from their fellow countrymen. In writing a letter to his sister, George states, “we hope that the American people won’t forget that if we can work and fight for the Democratic Way, that we are entitled to enjoy every privilege it affords when this mess is

Joining the R.O.T.C. was a choice, that later led to a career in the military. Was that honestly “pure luck?” He then became a four-star general. On November 16, 1968, a helicopter (while holding Powell and a few others) crashed. Powell (although injured) escaped the burning helicopter and went back numerous times to rescue the others. This rescue won him multiple awards. Colin Powell

“There’s a time for casting silver; a time for casting cannon. If that isn’t in the red, it should be!”There’s is a time for making money and there’s a time to go to war. His early life,the cause of why he joined the war, roles in the war, and after the war he was an inspiring person.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was born December 18, 1912 in Washington D.C. His father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. was one of the few African-American officers in the U.S. Army. Davis, Jr. was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy in 1932 by Rep. Oscar S. De Priest, the only black congressman at that time. At West Point he endured ostracism from both classmates and superiors who wanted to see him fail. He persevered and graduated 35th in a class of 276 in 1936. He was the fourth African-American graduate in the Academy’s history. Upon commissioning he and his father became the only two black officers in the army. His application to the Army Air Corps was refused because the Air Corps did not accept African-Americans.

Before his career as an actor Ronald Reagan was a part of the US Army Reserve, while in the reserve, he was called to duty just after the Pearl Harbor. He served the army form the year of 1942 to the year of 1945. During his service he arose the the rank of Captain, even though he never had any part in combat situations. Although he never had experienced combat, he stayed stateside and narrated the training films and was in the Army Air Force’s First Motion Picture Unit. (Ronald Reagan)

Douglas MacArthur was a US soldier, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. The son of a Union army hero during the Civil War (they are the only father and son to win the Congressional Medal of Honor) and a mother ambitious for his success, he trained at West Point (1903), rose steadily in the army, and demonstrated his bravado on a secret mission to Mexico (1914). In World War 1 he commanded a brigade in combat in France (1918), where he earned a reputation for bravery (wounded three times) as well as foppery - he carried a muffler and a riding crop into the line, but not a helmet or a gas mask. After serving as the superintendent of West Point (1919–22), he completed his second tour of duty in the Philippines.

General Douglas Macarthur was one of the most well known military figures in the history of the United States. He gave his farewell speech to congress on 19th April 1951 and went into retirement after 52 years of service in the United States army. He was given the chance to address his final message to the US government. This analysis carefully examines his ethics, goals, strategies, strengths and weaknesses. The speech is very famous and highly popular among the American audience. Therefore, we will take into account all factors to critically evaluate the speech and find out what makes it important.

George W. Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut on July 6, 1946. Just like other presidents, he had his good times and his bad times. He was the forty-third president of The United States. Because of those who had preceded him in The Oval Office, he understood the importance of being the Commander in Chief. In all of the events that happened during his presidency he never gave up on his country (Biography; Gale: Vol 21).

To understand this subject and cover all the aspects of it, we need to look to every simple and small details very carefully to find out what strategy will help us to win the war. Also, what make this effort success. It’s the view of administration on this war, can we end this endless war? When President Obama took the office, he wants to end this war. Changing the rule to more transparency, more ethical, and counterterrorism policies nimbler (Jessica Stern 2015-62). Since US army, military forces, agencies, and coalition forces left Iraq. There was a big gap in power, authority, and civil war going on. However, this wasn’t something new, it was going for ears but in small scale. Once US left Iraq in December 2011. That leaded to free movement of terrorist groups and fighter in middle east, especially Iraq and Syria. The military action is the cure for this vacuum now. “When the IS advance was stalled by coalition air strikes later this summer, IS militants and equipment melted into urban landscapes, operated at night, and distributed their forces into smaller tactical units, while limiting unsecure cell phone and radio communications. They deployed mines and improvised explosive devices to deny mobility and frustrate counter-offensives by Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Tikrit and Jalawla. Mines proved an especially effective means to passively control key areas because they are not vulnerable to airstrikes. Removal requires time-consuming and dangerous clearance techniques

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.

After reading all 18 of Colin Powell leadership principles, three of the principles stood out that I could identify with. The first, “Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.”

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.

Patton’s beliefs have and will continue to echo through eternity. It is with these sets of beliefs that men and women who serve everywhere will grow to be the leaders they can be. Speaking out based on your own belief, leadership and pride are just a few of the principles that we continue to live by to this day. What we do in life echoes in eternity and I hope to become as good an officer as Patton was and do honor to the men who was ahead of his time and widely respected by