LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – THE TOP 5 LEADERSHIP CONCEPTS FROM COLIN POWELL’S 13 RULES FOR LEADERSHIP

An important part of Leadership Development is to learn from successful leaders.  Colin Powell was one of our country’s most respected leaders,  both in his military career and later in his service as Secretary of State.  He was known as a strong leader who always treated others with kindness and respect.  Powell felt so strongly about Leadership Development that he shared his own 13 Rules for Leadership with many of the people he led.

As part of our Leadership Development work, we often share some of his important concepts with new leaders. We have identified five of his concepts as the most important and relevant to leadership in business.  We mirror five of his rules because we believe they connect to a very important understanding of leadership  – that a strong  leader must have an equal emphasis on results and relationships.  Here are the top five.

1. It can be done! 

A can-do attitude is priceless in leadership.

2. You can’t make someone else’s choices.

People must think and decide for themselves.  You can only lead people to where they really want to go. 

3. Check small things.

Details matter. Success is never about doing one big thing. It is nearly always about doing the many small things correctly and consistently over time.

4. Share credit.

A leader achieves nothing on his own.  Recognize the people who made a contribution.

5. Remain calm. Be kind.

Things go wrong – people make mistakes.  Leaders keep their cool.  They  find a solution to the problem, forgive, forget and move on.