Quotes by Colin Powell

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

— Colin Powell

Success

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

— Colin Powell

Success

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.

— Colin Powell

Success

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.

— Colin Powell

Success

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.

— Colin Powell

Success

Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

The healthiest competition occurs when average people win by putting above average effort.

— Colin Powell

Success

In other words, don't expect to always be great. Disappointments, failures and setbacks are a normal part of the lifecycle of a unit or a company and what the leader has to do is constantly be up and say 'we have a problem, let's go and get it'.

— Colin Powell

Life

I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Get mad, then get over it.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

— Colin Powell

Life

Never neglect details. When everyone's mind is dulled or distracted the leader must be doubly vigilant.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

If a leader doesn't convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organization and they'll start to fall down and get depressed.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

The chief condition on which, life, health and vigor depend on, is action. It is by action that an organism develops its faculties, increases its energy, and attains the fulfillment of its destiny.

— Colin Powell

Life

But just as they did in Philadelphia when they were writing the constitution, sooner or later, you've got to compromise. You've got to start making the compromises that arrive at a consensus and move the country forward.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Experts often possess more data than judgment.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

I respect the fact that many denominations have different points of view with respect to gay marriage and they can hold that in the sanctity in the place of their religion and not bless them or solemnize them.

— Colin Powell

Love

Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom

Giving back involves a certain amount of giving up.

— Colin Powell

Wisdom