General Colin Powell’s 13 Leadership Principles

General Colin Powell was the first African-American to head a “four-star troop command” when he took command of United States Army Forces Command. In August 1989, he spelled out 13 of his favorite leadership principles.

1. “It ain’t as bad as you think” — Actually, it may be that bad, or even worse, but this first rule relates how leaders should look at events and problems, regardless of their potential outcome. If leaders are negative and always expect the worst, their followers will abandon them. A good leader never exhibits defeat, indecision or fear. Powell’s positivity traces back to his training as an infantry officer, where he learned: “No challenge is too great for us, no difficulty we cannot overcome.”
2. “Get mad, then get over it” — Despite having a “severe temper,” Powell learned that managing his anger is critical. In the early months of 2003, when the US was looking for international support for the upcoming Iraq War, French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin publicly announced that France would block any military plans against Iraq; he made this declaration despite his private assurances to Powell that he would not broach the subject at that time. But Powell kept his cool and his friendship with de Villepin; France eventually supported the US through “six straight UN resolutions” on Iraq.