Don't be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard. Colin Powell More Quotes by Colin Powell More Quotes From Colin Powell Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant. Colin Powell details leadership mind The freedom to do your best means nothing unless you are willing to do your best. Colin Powell uplifting success inspirational Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved. Colin Powell succeed failing people You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours. Colin Powell choices Have a vision; but it's not enough to have a vision, you have to communicate that vision to others. You have to communicate it to people who work with you and for you. You have to communicate it to the world leaders with whom you come in touch. Colin Powell vision leader people Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude Colin Powell excellence perfection attitude Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision. Colin Powell adversity decision way The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise. Colin Powell call-of-duty fields leadership I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude. Colin Powell winning attitude thinking Good leaders must know how to reward those who succeed and know when to retrain, move, or fire ineffective staff. Colin Powell leadership fire moving Always be looking for that which you do well and that which you love doing, and when you find those two things together — man, you got it. Colin Powell motivation inspiration men In the army we are drilled into execution and then supervision, to make sure everything goes the way you planned it. But there is another thing that we do in the military, that I think perhaps isn't done enough in corporate life: As soon as you have made that decision, you start on the contingency planning. Because there is, as we like to say, a thinking, breathing enemy out there, who is not going to let you do just what you want. Colin Powell army military thinking If you get the dirty end of the stick, sharpen it and turn it into a useful tool. Colin Powell tools sticks dirty Treat people kindly. When you are kind to somebody and I don't mean necessarily "buddy-buddy", just show kindness and consideration. Show that people are worthy and you respect them and you are glad they're with you. Colin Powell kindness mean people In the military we are always looking for ways to leverage up our forces. Having greater communications and command and control over your forces than your enemy has over his is a force multiplier. Having greater logistics capability than the enemy is a force multiplier. Having better-trained commanders is a force multiplier. Perpetual optimism, believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence is a force multiplier. If you believe and have prepared your followers, the followers will believe. Colin Powell communication military believe Don't bother people for help without first trying to solve the problem yourself. Colin Powell trying people firsts Being in charge sometimes means making people mad. Some days you have to overrule even the best advice, because you think it is not right. Colin Powell mean people thinking Everybody makes bad decisions. I am sure I have made my share of them over 40 years of service. Or I have made good decisions and have been overruled. The real challenge, when you are overruled, is to remember who the boss is and don't take it personally. Colin Powell decision real years It is good if your enemy underestimates you. The dumber they think you are the more surprised they are when you kill them. Colin Powell enemy interesting thinking Leaders have followers. The primary role of a leader is to convey to those followers a sense of purpose, vision, and mission. Colin Powell vision followers leader