Dimensions
128 x 147 x 20mm
Colin Powell's IT WORKED FOR ME is a collection of lessons and personal anecdotes that have driven the four star-general and former Secretary of State's legendary career in public service. Leading off with Powell's "13 Rules," culled together from scraps of paper that he accumulated at his desk and are now used in leadership presentations throughout the world, the book sheds light on the making and success of one of our most revered statesmen. Powell's short-but-sweet rules-like "Get mad, then get over it" and "Share credit"-set the tone for the rest of his book, where he tells revealing personal stories to expand on his principles for effective leadership: conviction, hard work, and above all, respect for others. In work and life, Powell writes, "It is the human gesture that counts."
Above all, Powell is a storyteller, filling his pages with parables both humorous and solemn-all of which yield words of wisdom for the workplace and beyond. "Trust your people," he concludes, after delegating presidential briefing responsibilities to two junior aides. "Do your best-someone is watching," he advises those at the bottom of the totem pole, recalling his teenage summers shipping cases of soda. Powell draws not only on his decades of leadership in the military and four presidential administrations, but also on his hardscrabble upbringing in the Bronx and his own military training as a young man. The result is a powerful portrait of a leader who is reflective, self-effacing, and grateful for the contributions of even the most junior employee.
Powell's writing-straightforward, accessible, and often very funny-will inspire, move, and surprise readers. Thoughtful and revealing, his book is a brilliant and original blueprint for leadership from one of our most respected public servants.
