Friday, October 5, 2012

Book Review- It Worked For Me In Life And Leadership by Colin Powell


It Worked For Me In Life And Leadership





-This is one of the best leadership books I have ever read.  I will give you 10 excerpts of things that inspired me from this book.

 
1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.
Well, maybe it will, maybe it won’t. This rule reflects an attitude and not a prediction. I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation. A good night’s rest and the passage of just eight hours will usually reduce the infection. Leaving the office at night with a winning attitude affects more than you alone; it also conveys that attitude to your followers. It strengthens their resolve to believe we can solve any problem. Page 4 para 5-6

2.  It can be done.   
This is an attitude not reality.  It may not be able to be done, but start with a can do attitude.  I try to be an optimist not stupid.  So I start with the can do attitude and realize the struggles of reality. Page 11 para 2

3.  People need recognition and since of worth, as much as they need food and water.   
When something goes well, share the credit.  Let all the people think they are the ones who did it.  Cause they were.  Send out cards, pats on the back, smiles, promotions, phone calls, anything to spread the credit. Page 20 para 4

4.  Don't run when you can walk, don't stand when you can sit, don't sit when you can lay down, don’t stay awake if you can go to sleep. Page 40 para 3

5.  Always show more kindness than seems necessary, ­because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.
Kindness is not just about being nice; it’s about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect. Page 45 para 2

6.  To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. Page 48 para 3

7.  Problems come with just being alive, even more come with responsibility.   
When they come, suck it up and start again.  Solving problems is what leaders do.  The day you stop solving problems is the day you are no longer leading.  When people no longer bring you problems they think you can’t solve them or do not care.  They have lost confidence in you.  Look for problems and solve them.  Install a problem-solving attitude in your staff.Page 50 para 1-4

8.  I do not measure your success by your position, but by the contribution you are making. 
If you do not rise to the top of your field you did not fail.  Only a few can rise to the top.  Most who didn’t continue to make the place work.  They are no less important than the guy at the top.  They are no less dedicated.  They contribute no less to the success of the organization. Page 64 para 3

9. Glad you asked attitude.   
When someone asks you a question, especially one you do not want to answer, start out with I am glad you asked me that.  It lightens your attitude and the person sees you care about their opinion. Page 75 para 4

10.  If you break it you bought it, so try not to break it.   
If there is a chance you will break it, if you plan to break it, or cannot not control whether it breaks or not, consider the cost of ownership and have plans ready to deal with the consequences of breaking it. Page 215 para 5

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