What\u2019s it like for leaders operating on the world stage?\u00a0 What techniques do they use to build influence and extend their leadership?\u00a0 A book I just read gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of one well-respected leader, and if his actions are any indication, the answer to these questions might surprise you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\u00a0She What?<\/strong><\/h2>\nSo, I\u2019m scrolling through my Facebook feed when I came across an update from a friend from long ago.\u00a0 Leslie and I were classmates in high school and college.\u00a0 Now, suddenly I learned that she has written and published a book.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We lost touch after school, but it turns out that she had worked very closely with General Colin Powell, former U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and later Secretary of State.\u00a0 She began as his personal liaison on the professional speaking circuit.\u00a0 Later she became Assistant Chief of Protocol and Special Assistant to the Secretary of State.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whether traveling with him on diplomatic missions, stage-managing his time during formal events, or working out the details of the next project in his home office that they called \u201cThe Bunker,\u201d she knew him not just professionally, but also personally.\u00a0 It was a relationship that lasted 25 years.\u00a0 She was practically a member of his family.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>In her book, \u201cMy Time with General Colin Powell<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/a> Leslie shares the Powell she knew with the rest of the world.\u00a0 It\u2019s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a powerful leader in action on the world stage.\u00a0<\/p>\nI ordered her book on the spot. \u00a0When it arrived, I devoured it in two sittings.<\/p>\n
The book is filled with interesting and amusing stories that illustrate different facets of Powell\u2019s life behind the scenes.\u00a0 As a senior protocol official, Leslie often includes detail about how major events were carefully organized, which I found fascinating.\u00a0 Such things are practically invisible when done well, but the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an event can have a lot to do with its ultimate success.<\/p>\n
In reading this book, three habits of Powell\u2019s jumped out at me in the early pages.\u00a0 All three offer insights into his approach to leadership.\u00a0 Beyond that, they are things that any of us can do, which I think makes them well worth sharing.\u00a0 See if you agree.<\/p>\n
Love Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn her early days of working for Powell, it was not unusual for Leslie to find love notes from him on the fax machine (yes, that long ago, and yes, he actually titled each one \u201cLOVE NOTE\u201d).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
She dreaded them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leslie was an experienced young professional with great initiative and strong problem-solving skills.\u00a0 Yet at first she saw these notes from Powell as essentially a laundry list of what she had done wrong the previous day.\u00a0 The notes also delineated clear instructions about what to do, or not do, in the future.\u00a0 Worst of all, he wrote them in ALL CAPS.<\/p>\n
As hard as they were to take, the \u201clove note\u201d title helped her see those missives as they were intended \u2013 an effort to develop and refine her skills.\u00a0 The detail and care with which he wrote demonstrated that he cared about how she was performing, and wanted to help her become even better.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The higher our leadership journey takes us, the easier it becomes to allow the many external influences to distract us from some internal things that are equally important.\u00a0 \u00a0Yet Powell\u2019s example shows that developing the people immediately around us is just as critical as getting the mission accomplished.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leslie eventually broke Powell of the ALL CAPS habit.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t really shouting at her, but he really did care about her development.\u00a0 It\u2019s a message for leaders that maybe does deserve to remain capitalized in full:<\/p>\n
\nGREAT LEADERS CARE ENOUGH TO DEVELOP THEIR TEAMMATES. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nDo the Homework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u201cMake me smart<\/em>\u201d was a phrase Powell often used with Leslie before a speaking engagement.\u00a0 On the speaking circuit, he would address a wide variety of audiences, but he never faced them un-prepared.\u00a0 He did his homework, and Leslie helped.\u00a0 She would get copies of annual reports, gather background information on board members, assemble data on industry trends, and more.<\/p>\nOther speakers rarely asked for such things, but Powell would devour all of it, and often do additional research himself.\u00a0 As a result, he was able to tailor and personalize the message to his audience, frequently surprising and delighting them with his depth of understanding.\u00a0 This, in turn, made his words all the more impactful.<\/p>\n
Perhaps he was adapting the dictum of warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu that we all learned in officer school: \u201cKnow the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.<\/em>\u201d [1]\u00a0 His audience was not his enemy, but he knew that the more he understood them, the more able he would be to influence them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nDoing the homework helps us understand the people we are working with and the circumstances they face.\u00a0 It allows us see things from their perspective, which is key to forming stronger bonds with them, and have deeper, more meaningful interactions.<\/p>\n
Say Thanks<\/strong><\/h2>\nLike clockwork, after a speaking engagement, Powell would immediately send a hand-written thank-you note to his host.\u00a0 The host\u2019s response was invariably one of surprise and appreciation. \u00a0Leslie lost count of how many of her contacts told her that they rarely received notes of thanks from other speakers.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure that many shook hands and said \u201cthanks<\/em>\u201d to their hosts before they went on their way.\u00a0 But it is the extra effort, as simple as it was, of taking a moment to apply pen to paper, and sending a hand-written note of gratitude through the mail that stood out as remarkable.<\/p>\nThose notes of thanks demonstrate that Powell believed that a big part of leadership was about relationship.\u00a0 They served as a tangible sign of respect that marked the occasion, and placed added value not just on the event, but on the relationships that came from it.\u00a0 Throughout the book, this sense of gratitude continues to crop up in his interactions with people in all stations of life.<\/p>\n
In a world that can seem increasingly driven by self-interest, genuine expressions of respect and appreciation for someone else can go a very long way towards cultivating a positive working and leading environment.<\/p>\n
Behind the Scenes \u2013 The Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\nCertainly, it takes more than these three habits to become a great leader.\u00a0 And for most of us, our leadership journey will not lead to the world stage.\u00a0 But whether or not it does, that is not the place to focus, anyway.\u00a0 The ultimate judges of whether our leadership is \u201cgreat\u201d are the individuals inhabiting the world immediately around us.\u00a0 Powell\u2019s example shows us that that those are the people to focus on.<\/p>\n
The peak behind the scenes that Leslie gives us reveals some of the ways world-class leaders build influence.\u00a0 Surprisingly, small, simple acts can have a disproportionately high return on investment, and they are things that any aspiring leader can do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Develop teammates though relevant, helpful feedback.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Do the homework to get to know who we are working with.<\/li>\n
- Say thank you in a sincere, tangible way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Each of these is an action that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around us.\u00a0 As we do these things, that esteem is often returned, and our influence grows.<\/p>\n
Who knows.\u00a0 If we do these simple, behind-the-scenes things long enough, perhaps one day a bright, talented teammate of ours will decide to write a book about it to share it with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
Lead On!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNotes:
[1]\u00a0 Sun Tzu.\u00a0 The Art of War<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Samuel B. Griffith, ed. Oxford University Press.\u00a0 Oxford. 1971.<\/p>\nFor a deeper look into Powell\u2019s approach to leadership, consider his book, It Worked for Me<\/a><\/strong>, or read about why I agree with his idea that having problems as a leader<\/a><\/strong> is actually a good thing.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Behind](\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_1024\/https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_300\/https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_488\/https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_768\/https:\/\/www.rapidstartleadership.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Behind-the-Scenes-Insights-in-Leadership.jpg)
\u00a0She What?<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_195\/https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_159\/https:\/\/sp-ao.shortpixel.ai\/client\/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_650\/https:\/\/www.rapidstartleadership.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/613QjIYhL0L._AC_UF10001000_QL80_.jpg)
<\/a>In her book, \u201cMy Time with General Colin Powell<\/em>\u201d<\/strong><\/a> Leslie shares the Powell she knew with the rest of the world.\u00a0 It\u2019s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a powerful leader in action on the world stage.\u00a0<\/p>\nI ordered her book on the spot. \u00a0When it arrived, I devoured it in two sittings.<\/p>\n
The book is filled with interesting and amusing stories that illustrate different facets of Powell\u2019s life behind the scenes.\u00a0 As a senior protocol official, Leslie often includes detail about how major events were carefully organized, which I found fascinating.\u00a0 Such things are practically invisible when done well, but the behind-the-scenes mechanics of an event can have a lot to do with its ultimate success.<\/p>\n
In reading this book, three habits of Powell\u2019s jumped out at me in the early pages.\u00a0 All three offer insights into his approach to leadership.\u00a0 Beyond that, they are things that any of us can do, which I think makes them well worth sharing.\u00a0 See if you agree.<\/p>\n
Love Notes<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn her early days of working for Powell, it was not unusual for Leslie to find love notes from him on the fax machine (yes, that long ago, and yes, he actually titled each one \u201cLOVE NOTE\u201d).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
She dreaded them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leslie was an experienced young professional with great initiative and strong problem-solving skills.\u00a0 Yet at first she saw these notes from Powell as essentially a laundry list of what she had done wrong the previous day.\u00a0 The notes also delineated clear instructions about what to do, or not do, in the future.\u00a0 Worst of all, he wrote them in ALL CAPS.<\/p>\n
As hard as they were to take, the \u201clove note\u201d title helped her see those missives as they were intended \u2013 an effort to develop and refine her skills.\u00a0 The detail and care with which he wrote demonstrated that he cared about how she was performing, and wanted to help her become even better.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The higher our leadership journey takes us, the easier it becomes to allow the many external influences to distract us from some internal things that are equally important.\u00a0 \u00a0Yet Powell\u2019s example shows that developing the people immediately around us is just as critical as getting the mission accomplished.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leslie eventually broke Powell of the ALL CAPS habit.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t really shouting at her, but he really did care about her development.\u00a0 It\u2019s a message for leaders that maybe does deserve to remain capitalized in full:<\/p>\n
\nGREAT LEADERS CARE ENOUGH TO DEVELOP THEIR TEAMMATES. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nDo the Homework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\u201cMake me smart<\/em>\u201d was a phrase Powell often used with Leslie before a speaking engagement.\u00a0 On the speaking circuit, he would address a wide variety of audiences, but he never faced them un-prepared.\u00a0 He did his homework, and Leslie helped.\u00a0 She would get copies of annual reports, gather background information on board members, assemble data on industry trends, and more.<\/p>\nOther speakers rarely asked for such things, but Powell would devour all of it, and often do additional research himself.\u00a0 As a result, he was able to tailor and personalize the message to his audience, frequently surprising and delighting them with his depth of understanding.\u00a0 This, in turn, made his words all the more impactful.<\/p>\n
Perhaps he was adapting the dictum of warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu that we all learned in officer school: \u201cKnow the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.<\/em>\u201d [1]\u00a0 His audience was not his enemy, but he knew that the more he understood them, the more able he would be to influence them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nDoing the homework helps us understand the people we are working with and the circumstances they face.\u00a0 It allows us see things from their perspective, which is key to forming stronger bonds with them, and have deeper, more meaningful interactions.<\/p>\n
Say Thanks<\/strong><\/h2>\nLike clockwork, after a speaking engagement, Powell would immediately send a hand-written thank-you note to his host.\u00a0 The host\u2019s response was invariably one of surprise and appreciation. \u00a0Leslie lost count of how many of her contacts told her that they rarely received notes of thanks from other speakers.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure that many shook hands and said \u201cthanks<\/em>\u201d to their hosts before they went on their way.\u00a0 But it is the extra effort, as simple as it was, of taking a moment to apply pen to paper, and sending a hand-written note of gratitude through the mail that stood out as remarkable.<\/p>\nThose notes of thanks demonstrate that Powell believed that a big part of leadership was about relationship.\u00a0 They served as a tangible sign of respect that marked the occasion, and placed added value not just on the event, but on the relationships that came from it.\u00a0 Throughout the book, this sense of gratitude continues to crop up in his interactions with people in all stations of life.<\/p>\n
In a world that can seem increasingly driven by self-interest, genuine expressions of respect and appreciation for someone else can go a very long way towards cultivating a positive working and leading environment.<\/p>\n
Behind the Scenes \u2013 The Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\nCertainly, it takes more than these three habits to become a great leader.\u00a0 And for most of us, our leadership journey will not lead to the world stage.\u00a0 But whether or not it does, that is not the place to focus, anyway.\u00a0 The ultimate judges of whether our leadership is \u201cgreat\u201d are the individuals inhabiting the world immediately around us.\u00a0 Powell\u2019s example shows us that that those are the people to focus on.<\/p>\n
The peak behind the scenes that Leslie gives us reveals some of the ways world-class leaders build influence.\u00a0 Surprisingly, small, simple acts can have a disproportionately high return on investment, and they are things that any aspiring leader can do.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Develop teammates though relevant, helpful feedback.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Do the homework to get to know who we are working with.<\/li>\n
- Say thank you in a sincere, tangible way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Each of these is an action that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around us.\u00a0 As we do these things, that esteem is often returned, and our influence grows.<\/p>\n
Who knows.\u00a0 If we do these simple, behind-the-scenes things long enough, perhaps one day a bright, talented teammate of ours will decide to write a book about it to share it with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
Lead On!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nNotes:
[1]\u00a0 Sun Tzu.\u00a0 The Art of War<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Samuel B. Griffith, ed. Oxford University Press.\u00a0 Oxford. 1971.<\/p>\nFor a deeper look into Powell\u2019s approach to leadership, consider his book, It Worked for Me<\/a><\/strong>, or read about why I agree with his idea that having problems as a leader<\/a><\/strong> is actually a good thing.<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
GREAT LEADERS CARE ENOUGH TO DEVELOP THEIR TEAMMATES. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cMake me smart<\/em>\u201d was a phrase Powell often used with Leslie before a speaking engagement.\u00a0 On the speaking circuit, he would address a wide variety of audiences, but he never faced them un-prepared.\u00a0 He did his homework, and Leslie helped.\u00a0 She would get copies of annual reports, gather background information on board members, assemble data on industry trends, and more.<\/p>\n Other speakers rarely asked for such things, but Powell would devour all of it, and often do additional research himself.\u00a0 As a result, he was able to tailor and personalize the message to his audience, frequently surprising and delighting them with his depth of understanding.\u00a0 This, in turn, made his words all the more impactful.<\/p>\n Perhaps he was adapting the dictum of warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu that we all learned in officer school: \u201cKnow the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.<\/em>\u201d [1]\u00a0 His audience was not his enemy, but he knew that the more he understood them, the more able he would be to influence them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Doing the homework helps us understand the people we are working with and the circumstances they face.\u00a0 It allows us see things from their perspective, which is key to forming stronger bonds with them, and have deeper, more meaningful interactions.<\/p>\n Like clockwork, after a speaking engagement, Powell would immediately send a hand-written thank-you note to his host.\u00a0 The host\u2019s response was invariably one of surprise and appreciation. \u00a0Leslie lost count of how many of her contacts told her that they rarely received notes of thanks from other speakers.<\/p>\n I\u2019m sure that many shook hands and said \u201cthanks<\/em>\u201d to their hosts before they went on their way.\u00a0 But it is the extra effort, as simple as it was, of taking a moment to apply pen to paper, and sending a hand-written note of gratitude through the mail that stood out as remarkable.<\/p>\n Those notes of thanks demonstrate that Powell believed that a big part of leadership was about relationship.\u00a0 They served as a tangible sign of respect that marked the occasion, and placed added value not just on the event, but on the relationships that came from it.\u00a0 Throughout the book, this sense of gratitude continues to crop up in his interactions with people in all stations of life.<\/p>\n In a world that can seem increasingly driven by self-interest, genuine expressions of respect and appreciation for someone else can go a very long way towards cultivating a positive working and leading environment.<\/p>\n Certainly, it takes more than these three habits to become a great leader.\u00a0 And for most of us, our leadership journey will not lead to the world stage.\u00a0 But whether or not it does, that is not the place to focus, anyway.\u00a0 The ultimate judges of whether our leadership is \u201cgreat\u201d are the individuals inhabiting the world immediately around us.\u00a0 Powell\u2019s example shows us that that those are the people to focus on.<\/p>\n The peak behind the scenes that Leslie gives us reveals some of the ways world-class leaders build influence.\u00a0 Surprisingly, small, simple acts can have a disproportionately high return on investment, and they are things that any aspiring leader can do.\u00a0<\/p>\n Each of these is an action that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around us.\u00a0 As we do these things, that esteem is often returned, and our influence grows.<\/p>\n Who knows.\u00a0 If we do these simple, behind-the-scenes things long enough, perhaps one day a bright, talented teammate of ours will decide to write a book about it to share it with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n Lead On!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Notes: For a deeper look into Powell\u2019s approach to leadership, consider his book, It Worked for Me<\/a><\/strong>, or read about why I agree with his idea that having problems as a leader<\/a><\/strong> is actually a good thing.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDo the Homework<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Say Thanks<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Behind the Scenes \u2013 The Takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
[1]\u00a0 Sun Tzu.\u00a0 The Art of War<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Samuel B. Griffith, ed. Oxford University Press.\u00a0 Oxford. 1971.<\/p>\n