Synthesis Essay : Colin Powell

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.

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.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader” (John Quincy Adams). Growing up under a founding father, John Quincy Adams perceived leadership as a responsibility to inspire others rather than a position in which one simply has power over others. John Quincy Adams observed his father John Adams, who took upon a great responsibility to inspire an entire nation; a nation that is now known for freedom and opportunity. John Adam’s inspiration has come a long way, as he had the ability to lead a nation into success rather than tarnish the beauty of it. Collaborative leadership in an authoritative manner, which was seen in John Adams, is what drives one to success, as a leader should be open-minded

The General did not excel or apply himself in school. As a teen, he was sent home from summer camp for leaving the camp are and having a beer. He was sent home for the stunt, but was later found out from one of the Priest, that he had owned up to the mistake. He had taken responsibility; this is a leadership trait that he took through his long years of Military life, along with his tenure in the diplomatic world.

Sergeant First Class Tyree M.Powell, United States Army serve his nation for 10 years. Renowned by extraordinarily meritorious service to the United States as the Platoon Sergeant in Alpha Company. A 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advice and Assistant Brigade. Powell proved to be a multitasking logistical as he led his soldiers into combat as a Non commissioned officer in charged for the 15th Brigade Support Battalion advance logistical elements.

He was born on April 5,1937 in New York,New York. He was the first African American appointed as the U.S secretary of the, an the first and so far the only man to join the joint chiefs staff. Colin Powell son of Jamaican Immigrants Luther and his mother was rise in the South Bronx . He was well education when he was in New York at public school, and graduated from Morris High School in 1954 without any definite plan where he want to go live.

Powell went to the city college of New York. Then later he joined the officers training corps (ROTC) and earned the rank commander. He graduated as a cadet colonel the highest rank.

Colin Powell attended the City College of New York, that’s also around the time that he joined the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps). Since Powell joined the ROTC, he had worked hard every day, soon he earned the rank of commander of his ROTC unit, and graduated as a cadet colonel, the highest rank.

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.

The United States (U.S.) have always considered the Soviet Union as a strategic national security interest. At the end of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall fell, communism power lost its grip, and U.S. and Soviet Union relations were no longer strained. During the mid to late 1980s, the U.S. faced a new challenge of an emerging Middle East power, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. General Colin Powell was Chairman, Joint Chief of Staff (CJCS) when the U.S. was under the intense pressure of leading coalition forces into the Gulf War. Realizing this was an opportunity for the U.S. to turn away from old polices, he tackled strategic decisions under the Goldwater-Nichols Act that shaped the post-Cold War. This paper will focus on how Powell through his career

It seemed as if he had found his place while in ROTC. The discipline along with the structure, it was as if he had found people who were like him. He had fallen in love with the Army and after forty years of service, he retired. He was ask, what would have you done if you had not come in the Army? I’d probably be a bus driver, I don't know.

From the onset of his life Colin Powell was taught to always do his best. His extraordinary talents as a leader naturally caused him to excel. His every impulse was directed to distinction! Colin said, "What I really wanted to do was to do the best I could every single day. By doing my best everyday, day after day, year after year I finally got to the top. " - General Colin Powell.

“ Always do your very best!” This is the theme that inspired Colin Powell throughout his life. He learned to live this mantra from determination, living conditions and his parents.

Often times when people talk about General Douglas MacArthur, they tend to think of a great military leader of the World War Two (WWII) or the Korean War. General MacArthur once said, “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” General Douglas MacArthur, also known as Mac, was a Visionary Leader that not only shaped the outcome of the Korean War but Japan as well. However, he was not the most Ethical Leader to serve in the United States Military, which led to him being relieved of duty by President Truman in 1951. In this paper we will review not just how he was a visionary but at times unethical and how I relate those leadership traits to my own.