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Quote by Colin Powell

“Always find different ways to accomplish the mission. Then run a counter-analysis and list the advantages and disadvantages. When you have done that, you are ready to make a decision.”

Quote by Colin Powell

Author

Colin Powell, born on April 5, 1937, is a former United States Secretary of State known for his significant contributions to American politics and the military. He served as the National Security Advisor and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell is renowned for his exceptional leadership and diplomatic skills, becoming the first African American Secretary of State in U.S. history. more

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“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.”

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Author:Colin Powell

“Even the greatest of all strategists must occasionally take into account the presence of an enemy.”

Enemy Accounts Strategist

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“In the military we also learn principles of war which also work in a corporate setting: How do you concentrate as much of your force as possible on a critical point and take a risk elsewhere? In business that translates into focusing your investment on marketing, sales, or R&D, whichever will give you the greatest return.”

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“I have found that leadership is leadership is leadership. It applies whether you are in government or in corporate life or in non-profit life.”

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Author:Colin Powell

“Actually, there is no more important task for a leader than to pick people. To make sure you have the very best people working for you.”

People Important Leader Picks Tasks

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“You can't get it all done yourself. The best leaders are not afraid of picking people who are better than they are and who may one day replace them.”

People May Done Leader One Day Not Afraid Best Leader

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“This is something else that is drilled into us in the military: Make sure you know who your replacement is, in case you become a casualty. So you have to have depth within an organization.”

Knows Cases Military Organization Depth Casualties Replacements

Author:Colin Powell

“When I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I would still have junior officers brief me. Usually these people knew more about the subject we were discussing than I did. I had to make sure that they felt confident enough to tell me everything they believed.”

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“My own experience is that you get as much information as you can and then you pay attention to your intuition, to your informed instinct.”

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“I am bad at cultural generalizations but I would venture to say that by a wide margin there is less hypocrisy about sex in France than in America.”

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Author:Frederick Wiseman