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

Quote by Colin Powell

Topics: Colin Powell Quotes

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

The purposes of the United States should not be doubted. The Security Council resolutions will...

The purposes of the United States should not be doubted. The Security Council resolutions will...

You can't just have slogans, you can't just have catchy phrases. You have to have...

You can't just have slogans, you can't just have catchy phrases. You have to have...

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

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

The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading...

The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading...

Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes,...

Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes,...

Organization charts and fancy titles count for next to nothing.

Organization charts and fancy titles count for next to nothing.

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

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

War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we...

War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we...

Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when...

Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when...

I think the Iranians are clearly determined to have a nuclear program. And we have...

I think the Iranians are clearly determined to have a nuclear program. And we have...

We all hoped in 2001 that we could put in place an Afghan government under...

We all hoped in 2001 that we could put in place an Afghan government under...

No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.

No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.

I don't think we handled the aftermath of the fall of Baghdad as well as...

I don't think we handled the aftermath of the fall of Baghdad as well as...

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

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

Organization doesn't really accomplish anything. Plans don't accomplish anything, either. Theories of management don't much...

Organization doesn't really accomplish anything. Plans don't accomplish anything, either. Theories of management don't much...

When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you...

When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you...

I don't want to spend the rest of my life giving speeches.

I don't want to spend the rest of my life giving speeches.

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear...

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan; you should wear...

O Thou who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one thing more-a grateful...

O Thou who has given us so much, mercifully grant us one thing more-a grateful...