
Collin Powell
on Leadership
Promote a Clash of Ideas
-allow lots of flowers to bloom and allow clashes - let them flourish!
-argue/discuss/ but get it it out and allow leaders/followers to join - as a result they will execute with the same passion and energy
The noisy System
-Powell Strategies (sit at round table, change seats, create discussion to extract thoughts) - allow people to feel they contribute
-Plans and charts don't accomplish work - People do!
-Leader has responsibility to place followers in proper environment to accomplish the work.
Maintain an open door policy
-"the emperor has no close" approach
Probe the organization
- breaking the chain of command (solve it by addressing the problems)
Reward your best performers, Get rid of non-performers
- letting people go is tough but necessary
- pruning the organization
Be prepared to disappoint people
- leaders are not meant to be liked - they lead
- Separate emotional & professional
Have fun in your command
- hobbies/fun activities have a solution
- we need something that takes us out of the routine
Fit no stereotypes
- we must be judged by our performance alone (not race, color or age)
- expectations - "your going to school - period!
- sense of shame - "do not shame your family"
Perpetual Optimism is a force multiplier
- it is infectious
Things always look better in the morning
- Powell had daily short staff meetings - built trust and confidence - synergy
- set clear goals for them
- communicate with passion
- inspire them
- all for the organization and it's values
Avoid war if at all possible
- War is failed politics - Powell
- Even the greatest strategist will eventually encounter the enemy - Powell
Trust the element of Instinct
- Blink! go with the gut
Prepare to be lonely
- Leadership is lonely
- We must find ways to deal with it - someone to help with load
- We must also be the outlet for other leaders
-Positions/titles are {fine} but they will come to an end! - Powell
-All of us have a debt of service we may never repay - Powell
I am posting this now .. but will be digesting it for quite a while .. very practical and insightful.
1 comment:
liked very much, it is very insightful
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