Why Is Colin Powell Important

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.

Colin Powell left a lasting influence on America by illustrating favorable choices. He was an accomplished man. From influencing the army to government decisions, he truly changed America for the better.

“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.

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.

Colin Powell had a lot of choices and achievements in life were some of the choices good or bad? He had made some good choices like going to college and some of the choices he had made were not so good. But not just did he have good choices he also had achievements like overcoming a lot of injuries from the army or like being a four-star general in the army

Mrs. Felipe Lopez, from William J. Brennan High School has shown himself to be the best candidate for the Colin Powell Award. Mr. Lopez has devoted time and energy to his community, military personnel and most importantly his students and has been a huge supporter encouraging students to seek the Armed Forces as an option after graduation. Mr. Lopez support have generated over a 100 leads, he has personally spearheaded events targeting students to explore all options after high school and has been my number one influencer at Brennan High School. Mr. Lopez knowledge and expertise in higher education has been a huge supporter encouraging students to seek an education within the Air Force and earn a Community College of the Air Force degree.

John Adams is a very important man in history. He is most commonly known for his role as the second president of the United States. However, there is more to Adams then his role a the second president of the United States. On October 30, 1775, Adams was born into a farming family in present day Quincy, Massachusetts.

We strive to be a perfectionist, but we cannot be perfect. As a man who has won many battles, he has also lost some personal battles as he led the Naval Fleet in the Pacific. What if I told you that Admiral Chester W. Nimitz even though he was a Visionary leader, he was unethical with some of the actions he has made during his career.

This gave him a start in his political and military career. As a young man, he rose through the ranks

As a Non Commissioned Officer in the Pennsylvania Army Nation Guard, I realize the importance and value of good leadership. A leader has to be able to understand and support their men, have initiative, be quick on their feet, and accept responsibility for their actions. The personal traits that I look for in a leader are courage, commitment, candor, competence, and integrity. Out of these the most important one to me, is integrity. A man’s word is his bond and the most important leadership trait there is. Looking back, the man I see as a great leader that possesses these traits is Ret. General Colin Powell. Colin Powell is one of the greatest military leaders in this country’s history. He served this country

There are no more mysteries about Colin Powell one of the most famous american leaders in history. He is know for so many of his achievements in his life. All of his life he worked as hard as he could to get to the top. No one could stop general Colin Powell. His parents raised him this way. But he made the choice to continue his path and conquer his goals.

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.

Powell advanced through the Army and held key important positions which further expanded his strategic leadership skills. At the time, whether it was intentional or luck, Powell was being thrust into jobs away from what he knew best, the Army. Little did he know at the time but his experience in these key civilian led positions later proved invaluable as CJCS.

The year 1908 is where it all starts, the beginning of adventures to becoming a boy scout. Having the courage to helping the country being honored to serve and protect as well staying loyal to the king. Many times in history great empires fall under those who cannot protect their king and who would give up rather than help protect what is rightfully theirs. Robert Baden-Powell was a prime example of showing how to be as a scout, trying to be a good leader in the country to follow as most kids looked up to scouts as role models. His teachings brought many young inspired boys to follow in his footsteps to lead the country in a better direction. Laws were huge part to what a scout’s intentions should be like by being selfless and an individual

In Colin Powell’s speech at the Colgate University, he states that the role of a leader is “to put people, real human beings in the best possible environment to achieve the purpose of the organization that you are a part of.” (2009). Essentially, what this means is, that the role and responsibility of a leader is to take care of the people that they are in charge of. Furthermore, the role of a leader is creating a positive work environment that employees want to go to work to.