Trip Update # 5

Simply amazing ... Powell is an out of this world leader! Below are the "golden" nuggets of information he passed along in his interview today at the Summit...




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.