"Rest easy shipmate, we have the watch..."

I was saddened to learn earlier today of the death of General Colin Powell.  He had an amazing career, serving as our 16th United States National Security Advisor (1987-1989), 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993), and 65th U.S. Secretary of State (2001-2005).  There will be all kinds of opportunities to celebrate and honor General Powell in the days to come.  I have always admired General Powell, and I have personally learned a lot about leadership from his speeches, public appearances, and books.

He was a servant leader, in every sense of the term, who put the needs of his country ahead of his own.  He led with honor, integrity, and wisdom through some of our country's greatest challenges.  All but one of the currently living ex-Presidents had something to say to honor General Powell.

Joe Biden: "Over our many years working together - even in disagreement - Colin was always someone who gave you his best and treated you with respect...Time and again, he put country before self, before party, before all else –in uniform and out – and it earned him the universal respect of the American people."  

George W. Bush: "He was such a favorite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad...and most important, Colin was a family man and a friend."

Barack Obama: "Everyone who worked with General Powell appreciated his clarity of thought, insistence on seeing all sides, and ability to execute. And although he’d be the first to acknowledge that he didn’t get every call right, his actions reflected what he believed was best for America and the people he served."

Bill and Hillary Clinton (in a joint statement): "He lived the promise of America, and spent a lifetime working to help our country, especially our young people, live up to its own ideals and noblest aspirations at home and around the world."

Jimmy Carter: "A true patriot and public servant, we were honored to work beside him to strengthen communities in the United States, help resolve conflict in Haiti, and observe elections in Jamaica. His courage and integrity will be an inspiration for generations to come."

If you haven't heard of his famous "Thirteen Rules of Leadership", I would encourage you to take a look at them.  They first appeared in a Parade magazine profile of General Powell in 1989 and subsequently provided the opening chapter for his 2012 best-selling memoir, It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership.  The book elaborates on each of the rules in much greater detail, but I will list them here:

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

2.  Get mad, then get over it.

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

4.  It can be done!

5.  Be careful what you choose.

6.  Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7.  You can’t make someone else’s choices.

8.  Check small things.

9.  Share credit.

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

11. Have a vision. Be demanding.

12. Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

General Powell also is credited with a number of leadership aphorisms that have appeared in his writings, including his autobiography My American Journey.  Here are a few of my favorites:

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters.”

“Control enthusiasm in the face of victories, large or small.”

“There is no end to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

“Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.”

These aphorisms really resonate with me.  There is no question that General Powell made some mistakes in his life (some really big ones).  Today, we should remember him for all of the great things he did in service to our country.  I realize that General Powell was in the Army, but I still think the following passage fits:

Today we are here to say

"Shipmate...the watch stands relieved.

Relieved by those You have trained, Guided, and Led.

"Rest easy shipmate, we have the watch..."