Colin Powell had an extremely compelling and yet complicated legacy.
He was the first Black officer to be a four-star general commanding troops, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and eventually Secretary of State.
Colin Powell created 13 rules which I visit every now and then. Whatever his good as well as his not so good decisions may have been, these rules are extremely meaningful and will continue to stand the test of time.
Rule 1: It Ain’t as Bad as You Think. It Will Look Better in the Morning
These are the words of a man and of a leader who lived a purposeful life. A wonderful rule to start with, since it encourages one to strip anxiety and fear from one’s decision-making. Even if a situation really does turn out to be bad, it’s best not to let fear of the facts lead to inaction before even getting started.
It is true how many events that seem so devastating have in them the seeds of renewal if we look for them.
This rule reflects an excellent attitude. That it will look better in the morning is not meant to be a prediction.
Rule 2: Get Mad, Then Get Over It
We may be mad at something–maybe even righteously so! Instead of letting anger destroy us, one can use it to make constructive change in our organization or even in our life. Anger is part of the normal range of human emotions. Better to feel it, acknowledge it, and let it go before it negatively affects our decision-making, and ultimately our health.
Rule 3: Avoid Having Your Ego so Close to your Position that When Your Position Falls, Your Ego Goes With It
Our position, our title is what we do for a living. Our position is not who we are. Leaders that have “their egos in check” will lead from whatever position they hold. For them, a position is just a means to an end. It is not the end in itself.
Rule 4: It Can be Done
There’s a trap we all fall into: Allowing negative emotions to lead us to a negative conclusion, and then spending all our time crafting arguments to back up that conclusion.
Instead, reverse those forces. As Powell wrote: “Always start out believing you can get it done until facts and analysis pile up against it. Have a positive and enthusiastic approach.”
Rule 5: Be Careful What You Choose. You May Get It
No point being rash with our decisions. We will have to live with our decisions, and many decisions have unintended consequences.
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.”
In short, if we take the time to think things through methodically, more often than not, we make fewer mistakes in the long run, and wind up closer to our ultimate goals.
This also includes the people we choose to associate with. Choose them wisely too. We are most certainly affected by the company we keep.
Rule 6: Don’t Let Adverse Facts Stand in the Way of a Good Decision.
Leaders sometimes have to stand alone, or with the support of only a minority, on what they know to be right. They have to make difficult, right decisions that may cost them some relationships. Fortunately, the truth has a way of surfacing with time. Make the right decision, take the heat, and let time prove things right!
This rule is also about realizing that almost all important decisions have to be made without complete information; if we wait until there is complete information, the wait may be too long and late.
Rule 7: You Can’t Make Someone Else’s Decisions. You Shouldn’t Let Someone Else Make Yours
While good leaders listen and consider all perspectives, they ultimately make their own decisions and take responsibility for their choices. If it does not feel, seem, or smell right, it may not be right. We need to make our own decision about what is in our own best interests. Accept the good decisions. Learn from the mistakes of the bad ones.
Rule 8: Check Small Things
While leaders live in the “big picture” world they should never forget the importance of the details and they should ensure that the details get the attention they deserve. It is often the small things, or little foxes as King Solomon put it, that ruin the best laid plans. Don’t forget that the devil is always in the details!
Rule 9: Share Credit
The CEOs and MDs get all of the attention and most of the credit for a company’s success. The truth is a leader cannot achieve success on their own. The success of leaders is built on the talents of the women and men working with them to achieve the vision. Without them, leaders would not be successful. Share the credit with others! A lot of it rightfully belongs to them anyway.
People need recognition and a sense of worth as much as they need food, water and money.
Rule 10: Remain calm. Be kind
It is hard for a leader to inspire confidence and resilience in others if he or she cannot keep his or her composure in times of difficulty. It is hard for a leader to garner loyalty from others if he or she treats others badly.
Anxiety breeds anxiety; calm begets calm.
Rule 11: Have a Vision
Why is this so important? For our own sanity and effectiveness, of course, but also because people have a deeply felt emotional need for purpose. If we are leaders, part of our job is to articulate a vision that is worthy of their efforts.
Probably the best way to facilitate a vision is by walking the talk, by living in a manner which is befitting the vision we articulate on all our PR material.
Rule 12: Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers
Fear can be paralyzing! Further, there will always be those who do not support a leader or have his or her best interests at heart no matter how hard the leader tries to work effectively with them. To lead others effectively, we will need to tune out our fears and those who remain cynical and negative.
Rule 13: Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier!
There is something to be said for the leader who refuses to accept defeat and continues to adapt as necessary until he or she is successful. I believe this is the rule that gets repeated most often in military circles. It’s also the most mythical in terms of emotional intelligence. In short, this isn’t just about believing that things can be done; it’s also about proclaiming that optimism to the people we lead, in both our words and our actions.