March Read/John1

Title: IT WORKED FOR ME: In Life and Leadership

Author: Colin Powell;  Tony Koltz

Call Number: B P882P 2012

Subjects: Leadership; Quotations

John’s Read:

            In this book although autobiographical in nature, the retired general goes beyond the usual facts of his life to give us more the reasons he is the way he is. Explaining the normal "I was here and I went there and this is what happened as a result" is present of course, but so too the rules he made for himself because of what he went through. They constitute the way by which he commanded. The why he lead the way he did. And in the many circumstances in which he lived; that is, in military life at peace or in war, and in civilian life in its different aspects. For instance, chapter one, part one lays out rules for living. In short, they are:

1. It Ain't As Bad As You Think. It Will Look Better In The Morning, p 4-6
2. Get Mad, Then Get Over It. p 6-9
3. Avoid Having Your Ego So Close To Your Position That When Your Position Falls, Your Ego Goes With It. p 9-11
4. It Can Be Done, p 11
5. Be Careful What You Choose: You May Get It. p 11-12
6. Don't Let Adverse Facts Stand In The Way Of A Good Decision. p 12-14
(General Eisenhower's decision on D-Day to go in spite of the weather.)
7. You Can't Make Someone Else's Choices. You Shouldn't Let Someone Else Make Yours. p 15-17
8. Check Small Things. p 18-20
9. Share Credit. p 20-22
("When something goes well, make sure you share the credit down and around the whole organization. Let all employees believe they were the ones who did it. They were.")
10. Remain Calm. Be Kind. p 22-23
11. Have A Vision. Be Demanding. p 23-25
12. Don't Take Counsel Of Your Fears Or Naysayers. p 26-27
13. Perpetual Optimism Is A Force Multiplier. p 27-28

Note that I included some examples in a few of them. All in all, there are 44 chapters and an Afterward in this book full of ways to become not just an enlightened leader but also a better person. There is wisdom here. Want more than just a few examples? Read the book. 
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