Leadership Traits About Colin Powell - Research Paper Example

 Leadership Traits about Colin Powell Abstract Leadership is of paramount importance across all domains. It is argued that a good leader direct and guide the efforts of an individual in the path of success. Correspondingly, the purpose of this paper was to produce a research paper reflecting leaders’ qualities and leadership traits of Colin Powell. It has been observed that Powell possessed must of the leadership traits essential for becoming a good leader. Besides, he embraced situational leadership style that enabled him to adjust effectively to fit in new context. In his career, he has achieved several milestones as a soldier and his effort to promote democratic value as well as firm endeavor to combat terrorism are identified to be exceptional. At the same time, it has been identified that whether leaders are born or made, they are different from common people. Introduction Leadership is often recognized as a common term yet it has many diverse meaning. Leadership is usually considered to and researched as the chattels of an individual. In this context, many scholars assume that a leader exhibit leadership in the form of their personal characteristics through their behaviors and actions. One of the most common means to define leadership is by observing individual leaders and scrutinizing their core personality traits, which picture them as successful leaders. Leaders are entrusted with immense responsibility to seek that operations are conducted in accordance with goals and objectives. Additionally, leaders are accountable for managing and coordinating activities for effective accomplishment of desired objectives (Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1991). Retrospectively, it is evident that great leaders had spawned during the times of trouble in the American history who had demonstrated their leadership through conquest, power and growth achievement. Notably, Powell is recognized as one of the most revered Americans, a leader whose stature outstrips political party and ideology. He is admired as one of the most influential military leaders that the United States (US) has ever produced, whose commitment and ideology has brought about significant changes in the lives of Americans. Considering the aspects of leadership, the study intends to evaluate leadership traits of Colin Powell. In addition, the study identifies the reasons that have contributed towards acknowledging Colin Powell as a great leader. On further note, arguments are produced responding to the question, “Are leaders born or can they be made?” Brief History of Colin Powell Born in 1937, Harlem, USA, Colin Powell is the son of a Jamaican immigrant. He spent his childhood in South Bronx where he graduated from high school. He completed MBA from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Later, he moved to New York. In New York, he enrolled to the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and completed his graduation with the highest rank. Powell during his early years of life, exhibited qualities in the spheres of decision-making and motivation among others that would make him a great leader one day (American Academy of Achievement, 2014). Later, Powell was appointed as a Lieutenant General in the US Army. General Powell in 1963 was wounded while patrolling the Vietnamese border. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery revealed during his tenure in Vietnam. During the period 1968-1969, he was expatriated again to Vietnam for rendering his second spell of duty. During his second tenure in Vietnam, he acquired severe injuries arising due to helicopter crash. Nevertheless, he survived and despite of his severe injuries during the mishap he managed to save the lives of his comrades. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for exhibiting his courage and bravery. While serving his duty in Vietnam, he earned 11 Army Service Ribbons. Powell over the course of his duty was able to gain considerable trust, confidence and respect of his troops. During the administration of President Nixon, Powell was assigned with the responsibility of Office of Management and Budget. Powell maintained the same designation during the reign of the President Reagan. During this administration, he was actively involved in coordinating technical and policy staff in summit meetings held with Soviet President Gorbachev. Powell was assigned to the Deputy Secretary of Defense during the administration of President Carter. Later, Powell served as senior military assistant in Secretary of Defense. During the administration of the President Bush, Powell in the year 1991 served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1991, the role of Powell in expelling Iraqi army from Kuwait was widely appreciated. The success of the Desert Shield and the Desert Storm operations made him a renowned national figure. Powel during the administration of President Clinton retried after successful service. During the year 2001, newly elected President George W. Bush appointed Powell as Secretary of State. However, in the year 2004, he announced to quit from his position shortly after the declaration of President Bush's re-election (American Academy of Achievement, 2014; Harari, 2003). Leadership Traits of Colin Powell Traits can be defined, as characteristics possessed by an individual. According to the traits theory, leadership role is determined by personal characteristics possessed by an individual. Furthermore, the theory argues that leadership is also based on inherited qualities (Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1991). According to the traits theory in order to become a good leader, an individual must possess certain specific characteristics such as, effective decision making skill, trustworthy, patience, tactfulness, confidence, achievement, assertiveness, enthusiasm and ambitions among other. However, it has been argued that the possession of the aforementioned traits is not necessary for becoming a good leader (Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1991). Concerning Colin Powell, number of aforesaid characteristics or traits can be identified to be possessed by him. Powell being a military leader has revealed most of the characteristics necessary for becoming a good leader. Evidently, during his tenure as a military personal, he has revealed his leadership traits in several occasions. He was able to gain trust and respect of men and women, which reflects his characteristics of trustworthiness. He was able to make effective decision even during the untoward situations on behalf of his troop. High level of confidence can be evidently seen in his decision-making that was driven towards the best interest of his troops and the US citizens. At number of instances, he has demonstrated his characteristics of making right decisions that has been widely accepted by his troops and the US citizens. Assertiveness is another imperative characteristic acquired by Powell, which was apparent in his orders while serving in the US military and was expressed while serving for welfare of the US citizen (Harari, 2003). Furthermore, he was filled with relatively high degree of enthusiasm that can be apparently identified during his posting in Vietnam. He has a firm control over his emotion and he has never allowed himself to be driven by emotions even during frustrating circumstances. He has been able to maintain patience and has revealed his firm determination to cope with challenges that were hindering his way in achieving the desired goals and objectives. He also possessed a good relationship building skill. In this regard, Powell in several instances was able to develop close ties with his colleagues to reach best solutions that would meet the desired goals and objectives of all group involved. His skill to develop effective relationships can also be evident from his ability to perform different tasks efficiently under different administration. All these characteristics or traits demonstrated by him portrayed him, as one of the great leaders in the history of America. It cannot be denied that the traits exhibited by Powell have significant influences throughout his career. These traits facilitated him to follow certain leadership style. Powel once said that “Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission” (Harari, 2003). The analysis of the statement clearly postulates Powell’s belief that there is no single approach to lead a team or group. Instead, in order to efficiently lead a team is to adjust to the prevailing situation. Evidently, it can be observed that Powell’s way of leading and directing was based on situational leadership style. Thus, in order to describe leadership style of Colin Powell, it would be imperative to consider situational leadership model. Situational leadership model suggest that there is no universal approach to lead a team. The model argues that leaders should be dynamic rather than relying on any rigid approaches of managing and leading people. The model claims that the best way to lead a team is to act according to a prevailing situation considering capabilities and knowledge of team members. Relationship behavior and task behavior are considered as two prominent dimension of the situational leadership model (Blanchard et al., 1993). It is apparent that Powell has served under different post and has changed his leadership style based on the need of time and the mode of service. Powell reflected directive behavior while working as the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he was engaged in setting goals, devising methods, defining roles and responsibilities. Powel has also exhibited task-motivated leadership during the Persian Gulf War, where he has revealed his firm commitment by directing his subordinates towards the accomplishment of the goals. He also used supporting approach and delegated tasks on several occasions. Similarly, he has displayed different style while working under the administration of different US Presidents. In all situations, Powell has effectively adjusted to fit to new context. Thus, it can be argued that Colin Powell’s leadership style was not driven by single approach but has been based on the situational model of leadership (Harari, 2003). Thus, it can be affirmed that Powell’s leadership traits and the leadership style followed by him makes him a great leader. Achievements of Colin Powell Several achievements can be associated with Colin Powell career that paved a way for him towards becoming a great leader. The American people admired Powell for his efforts towards promoting democratic values. His efforts towards combatting terrorism can be recognized not just as a military but also as a diplomatic task. His roles and efforts in solving regional and civil conflicts primarily in Congo, Liberia and Sudan in the Balkans;, in the Middle East, amid Israel and its Arab neighbors;, in Cyprus, Northern Ireland and Haiti, are indeed noteworthy. Being a military personal and a diplomat leader, his efforts in promoting peace in Afghanistan and Iraq are remembered by every American citizen. Across all domains of his association, he has used the authority and the leadership ideology in promoting the regions struggling with achieving stability into areas where democratic value can prevail and societies as well as cultures can prosper. Powell has always been at forefront to seize opportunities and to confront with the 21st century challenges of global and regional security (Washington Speakers Bureau, n.d.). During his 35 years of service in the US Army, the nation witnessed 28 crises including Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm during1991 in Persian Gulf War to name few. During all these instances, Powell has demonstrated his skills and leadership qualities to cope up with these challenging circumstances. Powell used his experiences and revealed his firm determination and commitments to advance economic along with social development globally. Powell has been envisioned with securing democracy, prosperity as well as freedom to every region of the world and has always been occupied with establishing adequate balance of power that promotes equality across the globe (Washington Speakers Bureau, n.d.). Powell has had received several national and international awards to include an honorary knighthood bestowed by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and French Legion of Honor for revealing his commitments and endeavors. Powell has not only shown his determination for promoting national stability across the globe but his efforts towards improving the lives of people is indeed very appreciable. Followed by the event of September 11, 2001, Powell as a Secretary had shown his firm commitment for fighting against terrorism. Indeed, he has devoted his life towards promoting welfare of people and nations that were not limited to national boundary (Washington Speakers Bureau, n.d.). It is argued that Powell has performed numerous remarkable tasks, which can be combined and quantified to justify him as a great leader. Argument Whether Leaders Are Born or Can Be Made Importance of leadership is indispensible across all domains. Leaders are the key factors who drive the efforts of an individual in the path of success and achievements. Nonetheless, there has been considerable debate and research study being conducted to address the question whether the leaders are born or made. Yet, the answer for this question is still unsolved. Many scholars consider this question as similar to age-old controversy about the chicken and the egg. Subsequently, traits theories of leadership identify that personality traits and characteristics distinguish leaders form other general people. Traits theories of leadership suggests that leaders are 'born, not made'. This assumption implies that leadership is generally innate and cannot be developed through learning. Moreover, trait theories argue that leadership qualities are inherited by people and cannot be acquired. On the other hand, many scholars argue that leaders are made and are not born. In this regard, it is argued that individuals having strong desire and will power might become a good leader through education, experience and training. Accordingly, it is claimed that leadership development is a never ending process. Moreover, it has been widely affirmed that certain aspects such as motivation and communication are essential element of good leadership. Correspondingly, scholars have claimed that these aspects can be gained through continuous education and training. It has been proclaimed that inherit leadership attributes such as beliefs, ethics, characteristics and intrinsic knowledge as well as skills are perquisite for becoming successful leaders. In this regard, it has been propounded that not all but few traits can be developed through education and training (Swaroop & Prasad, 2013). Regardless, the debate whether leaders are born or made, it is clear that leaders are different from other people. Notably, it can be firmly asserted that leaders are not essentially required to be a great men or women by being sagacious or intellectual geniuses, but it is extremely important that they possess certain imperative qualities in their arsenal that is different from other people. Conclusion To recapitulate, leadership is indispensible across all domains. Leadership traits or certain imperative characteristics are considered as an essential element that is needed to be possessed by an individual in order to become a great leader. Leaders are entrusted with adequate responsibilities to perform different tasks in a tactical manner in order to accomplish desired outcomes successfully. It has been observed that Colin Powell born on 1937 in Harlem, USA has demonstrated extraordinary skills during his career. It has been observed that Powell possessed many of the traits or characteristics essential for becoming a great leader. In this regard, it has been observed that during his career, he has exhibited characteristics of trustworthiness, achievement, confidence, assertiveness and enthusiasm that are necessary for becoming a good leader. Besides, it has been recognized that Powell has had followed situational leaderships style and has been successful in adjusting to fit in new situation. It has been observed from the foregoing discussion, that Powell has achieved several milestones that have made him one of the most admired leaders in America. In this regard, his efforts towards promoting democratic value and peace across the world are highly appreciated by people worldwide. He has used his allocated power to promote social and cultural prosperity in resolving regional as well as civil conflicts across the globe. Notably, his achievements can be quantified to justify him as a great leader. On the other hand, there has been long debate regarding whether leaders are born or made. Regardless the debate, it can be affirmed that leaders are different from other people. It is not essential for leaders to be intellectual but it is crucial that they have abilities and qualities that are different from other people. References American Academy of Achievement. (2014). Colin Powell biography. Retrieved from http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/pow0bio-1 Blanchard, K. H., Zigarmi, D., & Nelson, R. B. (1993). Situational leadership after 25 years: a retrospective. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 1(21), 22-36. Harari, O. (2003). The leadership secrets of Colin Powell. India: Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Kirkpatrick, S. A., & Locke, E. A. (1991). Leadership: do traits matter?Academy of Management Executive, 5(2), 48-60. Swaroop, K. R., & Prasad, N. G. A. (2013). Are leaders born or made? Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing & Management Review, 2(8), 35-40. Washington Speakers Bureau. (n.d.). Colin L. Powell. 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