W5D 590 Colin Powell - Essay Example

Colin Powell While it is considered that a success of any business depends on the quality of internal dialogue of its member, there is always a leader on the top, whose inspirational activities and honest communication make the whole process to be done perfectly (Johnson, et al, 2008). A retired four-star general of the U.S. Army Colin Powell is one of the well-known business leaders and speakers in the world (Schawbel, 2012). His lifetime of service and obtained experience has created those perspectives which Powell is ready to share with others.

Thus, according to Powell, the role of the leader is to create the most suitable environment for the followers and let everyone to contribute the common business goal with all their best (Karissa, 2013). To best bring the leader’s view about the organizational goal can be done through collaboration, an effective part of which is communication that creates unity without consensus. Here loyalty means to give one’s honest opinion and if the decision is been made, give no chances for the debate (Johnson, et al., 2008). The importance of truth-telling and safety where people are able to tell the truth create the atmosphere of unity and lead to the high performance of the corporate culture.

Another view on how leader sees meeting of organizational goals is through creating a winning team (Schawbel, 2012), which is able to give business everything it needs. Here people should be trained in order to get connected to the common strategy, and have certain equipment to achieve the goals. There is also philosophy of leadership which Powell shared with hundreds of business students. The central consideration about leadership is about getting people to make the most out of them, which is possible by creating conditions of trust, absence of fear or anger and constant presence of optimism.

He also states (Stanford GSB Staff, 2005) that effective leaders are not born; instead they are capable to learn from their experience.ReferencesJohnson, et al., (2008). The New leadership challenge: removing the emotional barriers to sustainable performance in a flat world, Ivey Business Journal, Retrieved from http://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/the-new-leadership-challenge-removing-the-emotional-barriers-to-sustainable-performance-in-a-flat-world/Karissa, R., (2013). AIA 2013: Top Ten Lessons of Leadership by General Colin Powell, Architecture News Daily, Retrieved from http://www.archdaily.com/392879/aia-2013-top-ten-lessons-of-leadership-by-general-colin-powell/Schawbel, D., (2012). A Conversation with Colin Powell: What Startups Need to Know, Forbes, Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2012/05/17/colin-powell-exclusive-advice-for-entrepreneurs/2/Stanford GSB Staff, (2005).

Colin Powell: "Never Show Fear or Anger", Graduate school of Stanford Business, Retrieved from https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/colin-powell-never-show-fear-or-anger