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The Powell Principles: 24 Lessons from Colin Powell, a Battle-Proven Leader

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The key to success in any setting lies in knowing how to be an effective leader. The Powell Principles outlines the decision-making habits, success strategies, and leadership philosophies of Secretary of State Colin Powell, and provides fascinating examples of how Powell has used them to overcome numerous obstacles in his climb to the top. Filled with insights that are refreshingly honest, this concise, powerful book reveals how you can dramatically improve your leadership skills and achieve unmatched levels of professional success, while inspiring others to extraordinary performance.

115 pages, Hardcover

First published December 30, 1899

36 people are currently reading
184 people want to read

About the author

Oren Harari

19 books8 followers

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5 stars
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38 (24%)
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11 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Gregg.
140 reviews
July 10, 2017
Short and to the point. Each "lesson" is about 2.5 pages long. None of the lessons is a big surprise, but to a degree that's useful because it indicates at least some of the boundaries of successful leadership.
Profile Image for Paco Nieto.
36 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2017
Excellent!
If you want to take your leadership to the next level this is the book.
Also if you are interested to know all the potential areas where you can develop your leadership then this is a great guide to that.
Profile Image for Matty.
39 reviews10 followers
March 12, 2018
Good summary but you need the full book for context

Summaries are great but they dont tell the full story. This book does a good job as a reminder but read the full book on the Powell principles first would be mu advise
Profile Image for Shhhhh Ahhhhh.
846 reviews24 followers
Read
March 14, 2020
DNF. WNF. Getting bored being told about the achievements, attitudes, and philosophies of great men by people other than those great men. It also seems lightweight. 85% is quite enough for me to call it. Would not recommend.
42 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2018
Overall an interesting read. There were some great points for anyone who is or aspires to be in a leadership position.
Profile Image for Petr Vařeka.
30 reviews
June 11, 2025
This book is a summary of the author’s insights from hit other book Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell. If you enjoy quick tips and thought-provoking ideas, you’ll definitely appreciate it.
Profile Image for Sergey Dudko.
172 reviews2 followers
January 14, 2023
Speed communication through technology

Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off

Encourage creative disruption. Encourage those around you to challenge you and the other senior members of your team.

Build trust by demonstrating competence, character, courage, loyalty, confidence.

Be a servant leader: Help people to accomplish the goals

Practice empathy and selflessness

Curiosity is a key leadership ingredient

Hire people who compensate for your own weaknesses. Strong leaders are not afraid to surround themselves with people better than themselves.

Use symbolism (like round tables, no dress code, etc.) to reinforce your availability.

Avoid “one size fits all” solutions

Treat people as partners. Ignore hierarchy

Spend at least 50% of your time on people issues

Spread optimism around the organization

Use humor, especially self-deprecating humor, to puncturing stuffiness and pomposity

Minimize unnecessary stress

As a leader, you need to recognize that people need balance in their lives

Accept responsibility

Lead by example
Profile Image for Kris Wijoyo.
57 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2007
" Don't let your ego on your position." kata2 yang kasih gw banyak pelajaran.
2 reviews
February 10, 2011
still reading but ill tell you more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for David Fhu.
53 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2016
It is a small, but a great book in sharing some interesting idea a a leader should have.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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