“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'.”
Great
“I don't know that there is much the United States can do except work with the international community.”
WorkAll Quotes by Colin Powell
“It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.”
Morning“I think whether you're having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude.”
Attitude“Fit no stereotypes. Don't chase the latest management fads. The situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team's mission.”
Best“What you're seeing with Occupy Wall Street and the others are people who are unhappy and they're directing their unhappiness now toward Wall Street and toward those they think are doing too well in our society.”
Society“Politics is not bean bags. It's serious, tough stuff.”
Politics“Bad news isn't wine. It doesn't improve with age.”
Age“War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support.”
Politics“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.”
Marriage“Wouldn't it be great if we could look forward to a whole world in which no child will be left behind?”
Great“90 percent of my time is spent on 10 percent of the world.”
History“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.”
Business“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
Business“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.”
Failure“When you decide to get involved in a military operation in a place like Syria, you've got to be prepared, as we learned from Iraq and Afghanistan, to become the government, and I'm not sure any country, either the United States or I don't hear of anyone else, who's willing to take on that responsibility.”
Government“We got rid of a terrible dictator. We gave the Iraqi people an opportunity for a new life under a representative form of government.”
Government“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.”
Work“We need to understand that we as citizens and as a government in any community throughout this country have no more important obligation than to educate those who are going to replace us.”
Government“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.”
Experience“Just hit my 75th birthday, I'm feeling great!”
Birthday