Gen. Colin Powell died this past Monday at the age of 84 of complications from COVID even though he had been fully vaccinated. He was quite a man, and left a legacy that his family and the entire nation for that matter can be proud of.
He was a four-star general who during his distinguished career was National Security Advisor under President Ronald Regan, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H. W. Bush, and Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. His 35-year career in the Army included overseeing the successful Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
After his retirement from the military in 1993, he considered running for President in 1996 on the Republican ticket, but in the end decided against entering the political arena.
He wrote a book titled “My American Journey” in which he listed 13 rules to live by. I have here included six of what I consider his more important ideas for leadership and having a successful life.
No. 1: Get angry and then get over it. (In other words, don’t dwell on controversial issues. Get on with life.)
No. 2: It can be done. (Don’t be a quitter. Don’t give up.)
No. 3: You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.
No. 4: Share credit. (Don’t be a glory hog.)
No. 5: Remain calm and be kind. (My late wife, Melanie, was a proponent of this – be kind and smile.)
No. 6: Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. (This goes along with No. 2.)
Powell came from humble beginnings and rose through the ranks in the Army to become one of the more notable statesmen in American History. He has a special place there that he carved for himself following the rules he listed in his book. We all should follow them.