Colin Powell
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Abstract
Colin Powell emerged as a leader and was the first African American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first African American to hold the title of the Secretary of State. Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Secretary of State, was a retired four-star General in the U.S. An African American born in Harlem, New York of Jamaican immigrant parents and educated at the City College of New York (CCNY), Secretary Powells ancestry is far removed from any ties to established families, money, or superior associations (Powell & Persico, 1995). The escalation of Colin Powell to the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1989 defined a classic event in American racial relations, and the significance of this moment has yet to be fully acknowledged (Oakley, 2010). Colin Powells astonishing career in the military developed as he graduated from college as a appointed second lieutenant, became a young officer in the Vietnam War, and found his way through a sequence of command and staff jobs, concluding his selection to the peak position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colin Powells leadership style allowed him to reach the pinnacle position of the United States military and successfully carry out a “tour of duty” as Secretary of State.
The U.S. Army was Colin Powells path to leadership. Proficient in military determination and strategies, Powells combat experience in the Vietnam War and was exposed to the realness of national government power in the Pentagon and the White House. At every move of his distinguished career, Powell learned both positive and negative examples from the superiors he has shadowed. The Gulf War taught him to put his strong leadership beliefs and skills to work (Landrum, 1997). In November of 2004, Secretary of State Colin Powell resigned from his Secretary of State post and ended his struggles with the Vice President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense (Oakley, 2010). Colin Powell continues to give out his leadership styles in boardrooms and at public speaking venues. Colin Powell is the first African American military officer to hold the United States uppermost military post. General Powell was advanced to the rank of four-star General in April 1989, and was named Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in August of that year (Powell & Persico, 1995). At the age of 52, Colin Powell was the youngest person to serve in that position. Powell planned and executed the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. On December 16, 2000, George W. Bush announced to the nation that Colin Powell was his choice to be Secretary of State; Powell was the first African American Secretary of State in U.S. history. With his energetic leadership style and public appeal, Powell has come to exemplify the American dream, within the assembly of the U.S. Government (Oakley, 2010).
Leadership Techniques
As with any leader, the countless leadership techniques used by Colin Powell are exclusive and distinct to him. That being said, an examination of some of these techniques may enrich others in the learning of leadership. What follows is not intended to be a compilation of his style in total, but rather a analysis of some of the more noticeable aspects of his leadership style and techniques. It is also worth noting that in his book, The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell, Harari (2002) documented a variety of Powells words, knowledge, and viewpoint to infer Powells life experiences into treasured lessons learned. This does not encompass all of the leadership aspects shared by Harari but focuses on techniques taken from his line as well as from other sources.
Colin Powell had forecasted Saddam Husseins move into Kuwait in a tactical paper nine months before it happened (Powell & Persico, 1995). Outstanding leaders do not just supervise in the present; they always have to look forward into the future. Forward thinking is a unique ability to be able to plan for what is coming. It is not just their perspective that matters, however; it is also their skill to use and understand the material that incorporates the real ability of leadership (Bennis, 1997). Powells convincing ability to concentrate on the future has served him well as a leader.
According to Northouse (2001), the style approach is very dissimilar from the trait approach. Whereas the trait approach highlights the leaders personality distinctiveness, the style approach highlights the leaders conduct. The style approach accentuates what leaders accomplish and how they take action, which stretched the study of leadership to
consist of leaders behaviors toward followers in various backgrounds (Northouse, 2001). These actions can be separated into two types: (a) task behaviors resulting in goal accomplishment, and (b) relationship behaviors intended at how a leader can encourage a follower to feel excellent about himself or herself and others.
Providing a Well-defined Path
Harari (2002) comments that simplicity has been a main influence in Powells success: “On a daily basis, cut through the morass of argument, debate, and doubt that sometimes accompanies mission-related debates. Offer solutions that are clear and understandable. Simplification boots clarity, focus, and the capacity to execute” (pp. 119-120). Powell gave clear instructions to General Norman Schwarzkopf leading up to the Gulf War, informing Schwarzkopf that he wanted a multi-level response. The first level should ensure for proper engagement if the Iraqi leader commits any border violations. If Husseins objectives are more dangerous the second level of planning should make sure that he is stopped and that Kuwait is protected (Powell & Persico, 1995). Powell knew that providing clear and concise instructions he followers would understand them and have no question as to what their orders were and what they were supposed to do. The provided first time quality results (Oakley, 2010).
Colin Powell has proved through is approach in leadership that he is not content with just action. Action does not mean results. Meetings that have ended without clear conclusions bothered Colin Powell (Powell & Persico, 1995). By using a results-oriented method, Powell was able to concentrate on attaining results and not just working to work.
Forethought
Although