Colin Powell: 15 Tips on Leadership

Colin Powell: 15 Tips on Leadership

A general's tips on leadership principles might be worth bearing in mind as church leaders.

Matt Branaugh

I remembered the value of cleaning the office desk recently as I happened upon my notes from Willow Creek's 2007 Leadership Summit. During the conference, I made a specific point not to capture every single word possible, which I am prone to do, thanks to my background as a journalist. Instead, I attempted to listen and soak up what I could from the summit's impressive list of speakers.

But I broke that self-prescribed rule when I listened to Pastor Bill Hybels' pre-recorded interview with General Colin Powell. Looking back on those notes, I'm glad I did.

Powell, the former U.S. Secretary of State for President George W. Bush, provided his thoughts on leadership. I counted no less than 15 tips he offered, some of the obvious nature, some not. And while I recall feeling somewhat disappointed at the time that the interview didn't cover any leadership lessons Powell drew from his experiences in the events leading up to the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, I was pleased with the rest of the ground he and Hybels covered.

In particular, Powell emphasized the power and importance of conflict done well. In a culture where conflict often gets viewed in negative terms, I found this advice particularly wise for leaders. Some of his other tips can be a bit unnerving--"Be prepared to disappoint and/or anger some people," and "Prepare to be lonely." Others were of the refreshing variety ("Check your ego at the door," and "Remember that perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.")

So, in the order Powell gave them, here's a quick summary of leadership principles through his eyes:

1. Promote a clash of ideas. Allow subordinates to argue and clash with you. Once you've heard enough, make your decision,and then count on your team to execute it with full passion,

2. Encourage a noisy system. Put people at ease by listening to them; genuinely desire to want what people know.

3. Remember that only people get things done. A leader must give followers an environment to get things done. Take a third of the time to plan, and give two-thirds of the time for people to execute.

4. Maintain an open-door policy. Let people see you when you're there, and be sure to give special access to those closest to you.

5. Probe the organization. Walk the "grounds" everyday, allowing people access to you. If you uncover something affecting your organization or team that requires attention, close the loop and let those involved know the outcome.

6. Reward your best performers and get rid of your non-performers. You must constantly prune. Otherwise, the leader who doesn't prune out the bad risks watching the good turn bad.

7. Be prepared to anger and/or disappoint some people.

8. Check your ego at the door. Don't tie ego to title.

9. Have fun in your role. Maintain hobbies outside of work that can settle your mind.

10. Fit no stereotypes.

11. Remember that perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Always assure those around you that the team will make it, that the problem will be solved. At the same time, don't do so with false statements.

12. Things always look better in the morning. Be optimistic of the day ahead.

13. Avoid war if at all possible. But when battles erupt, use your same processes to make decisions, then accept the fact your decisions will have to come faster.

14. Trust the element of instinct.

15. Prepare to be lonely.

Matt Branaugh is director of editorial and special projects for Christianity Today International’s Your Church Media Group. Prior to this role, he led Christianity Today’s Ministry Team, which includes BuildingChurchLeaders.com and FaithVisuals.com.

He is passionate about equipping and energizing church leaders with the principles and tools that help them more effectively serve the kingdom of God.