Leadership Assessment and Style

When one thinks of leaders many names come to mind good, bad, presidents, and kings.  Retired General Colin Powell is an example of a military leader. One only attains this title by continual advancement using leadership skills.  What works for one leader may not for another. What makes a leader successful is the ability to adapt to philosophies consistent with the mission, vision, and long-term goals of the organization. The leader is the foundation to provide stability and direction for the organization. Colin Powell has a successful leadership style and by comparison of the self-assessment for will reflect personal strengths, and weaknesses.

A valuable leader uses personal beliefs, values, morals, and characteristic traits to motivate the team to do the best. The one important attribute of a leader is the ability to communicate successfully with the follower, ”Effective leaders are able to get the most out of people following them, by putting them in a position to succeed with the tools they need to do their job” (MacCallum, 2006, Para 4). A good leader will know how to adapt to various situations to meet the need.

Successful Leadership

    General Colin Powell is a marvelous speaker, and leader. Powell, a keynote speaker at the 1996 graduation ceremony for the Northern Virginia Community College topic of leadership was awe-inspiring. The general candidly spoke about his rise to leadership with a humbling ability to convey errors, and triumphs along his career. His speech emphasized communication, honesty, and acknowledging making mistakes. Powell used examples of leadership with humor, and confidence. The purpose was to instill a sense of confidence, and responsibility to continual self-improvement.  Powell explained the need to rise to challenge as an opportunity. As a leader Powell, leans heavily on people as sources, “Organization doesn’t really accomplish anything. Plans don’t accomplish anything, either. Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Only by attracting the best people will you accomplish great deeds” (Harari, 2002, Lesson 8).  Some of the research indicates contradictions of Powells leadership quotes.  These quotes were correct in context of leadership theory applications.

What is impressive about Powell is growing up impoverished, in Harlem, and rising to the top of the military career chain to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his career, Powell obtained many accomplishments, and accolades.  After receiving his Masters of Business Administration, Powell landed a fellowship at the White House. Over several decades Powell rose up to the position of the assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Energy, Senior Military Advisor, during the Grenada invasion, and the Libya. For a change of pace Powell, became the Commander of the Fifth Corps in Germany. After that he became the assistant to the President for National Security Affairs during Soviet negotiations with President Gorbachov. The position that gained him the most notoriety was as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Desert Shield, and Desert Storm.  What is impressive is Powell held people accountable for having information, Powell as a decision maker did not always have the required data to execute plans with.

Leadership and Team Self-Assessment

Comparing the leader assessment with Colin Powell is not similar in many areas. Powell seems to lead with people, rather than a singular leader. The personal assessment support the singular leadership style as a better fit, but does not exclude leading with people is a trait to develop personally. Powell relies heavily on teamwork, as the military ascribes.  Powell is not afraid to try something or seek buy in, on an idea. Personally a trait to possess is the confidence to push the limits, rather than being complacent. This is an area in need for developing, as is the ability to lead with superiority. Powell openly opposed, don’t ask; don’t tell policy discussion in the Clinton Presidency. On the other hand it was admirable that he was not afraid to speak his mind, and state his opposition. Sometimes diplomacy is a great leadership trait that Powell can gain from. Challenging authority is not adhering to the chain of command in this instance, maybe Powell could benefit by curtailing his ego or level of confidence.  

Conclusion

One key attribute as a leader is to focus leadership as Powell does by building key teams and members. Collective wisdom is of utmost value, as a team. As a leader like a parent not everyone will be happy or satisfied but as a leader this cannot intimidate or dictate actions. Followers on the other hand cannot be afraid of the leader. Followers cannot be afraid to bring any idea to the table. Much in the same way that teachers say, there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers. Communication must be two way, and advocate the open door policy. People are the key to leading. Followers want to follow leaders. Personality driven leaders have traits that make people want to do their best to follow. Leading is getting things done through people.  

References

MacCallum (2006). Colin powell: leadership is all about followership. Retrieved from The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/03/22/colin-powell-leadership-i_n_17685.html
Harari, (2002). The leadership secrets of colin powell. McGraw-Hill, New York.