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Colin Powell is arguably one of the greatest leaders in American history. The man serves his country in many countless ways. Despite being a black, second generation immigrant born in Harlem, New York, in 1937, Powell rose to the rank of four star general in the United States Army. He also served as the National Security Advisor for Reagan, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for H.W. Bush and Clinton, and served as the Secretary of State for W. Bush. Colin Powell becomes a leader wherever and whenever he needs to be. His leadership qualities and style match up with The Hersey – Blanchard Situational Leadership Model. He became a leader because it was natural to him and he loved it. In college he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training …show more content…
He was commander of his company and received the rank of cadet colonel. When Powell graduated he was named second lieutenant and went on to basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia. Then, after basic training, he went to West Germany, where he served as a platoon leader in the Forty Eighth Infantry. In 1962, Powell was sent to Vietnam, where he served as a military adviser. Powell was quickly rising through the ranks and he showed no sign of slowing down. In 1963, Powell was back at Fort Benning, but this time as an instructor in the Infantry School. Three short years later, he got a promotion to major. Two years after that, in 1968, Powell was sent back to Vietnam. During this tour, Powell received a Purple Heart and a Soldier’s Medal for heroism, for saving several soldiers from a burning helicopter that had been shot down in battle. Upon returning to the United States, in 1970, Powell was promoted again, this time to lieutenant colonel. “By the early 1980s, his record had attracted invitations to serve in several important positions in Washington” The United States government loved Colin Powell and everything he was …show more content…
His leadership exerts three components, directing, coaching and supporting, that match him up with the style of leadership known as the Blanchard Situational Leadership style. This type of leader can adjust their leadership to fit the needs of their followers. Powell is the best example of a situational leader. He knows how to lead men in battle and he knows how to lead an office in paperwork. Powell began his leadership career when he joined the ROTC, in college. Over time, Powell continued to get promotions and eventually was promoted to four star general, the highest position in the United States Army. He was the first African American to do this. Once he was done with the military, Powell took to life as a civilian, in the government. He worked many government jobs before taking the job as secretary of state for President George W. Bush. Powell immediately began to lead his new unit and had no trouble doing so. The man is a leader through and
John Jay was born in New York City on December 12, 1745 and was a self devoted leader that help the United States get to where it is today. He served a very important role in the Founding Fathers establishment as well as bringing overall greatness to the country. He devoted himself to the American Revolution as well as becoming the first Chief Justice of the United States. Serving in the Continental Congress, and becoming president of the congress gave him great power and confidence within himself.
Powell majored in Engendering. He finished college in 1958 (source 1 pages 32, 36). While in college Powell joined the Recruit Officer Training Corps (ROTC). Powell said he joined ROTC because of the discipline and "The sense of comradery among a group of young men who were similarly motivated. Maybe it was the uniform." Another reason he said he joined is because of the association with the military [source 2 (interview page 1) (biography page 1)]. While Powell was in ROTC, he was in the Pershing Rifles. The Pershing Rifles showed that a cadet was more serious about ROTC than a regular cadet. The Pershing Rifles had to stay in ROTC their whole college career. They were distinguished through a yellow wrap worn on their right shoulder (source 1, page 40). In 1987 Powell was the Nation Security Advisor to Ronald Regan. Two years later in 1989 he became the first black officer and the youngest officer to hold the nation's highest military office, the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Many people possess leadership qualities although they don’t rule a country. Meriwether Lewis, the official leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition has been called “undoubtedly the greatest pathfinder this country has ever known.” Just like Hazel, Meriwether Lewis led a group of followers into unknown territory. The two guides faced many difficult situations that they were able to overcome since they had the qualities of a notable leader. Both of the journeys were rough, but because of the brave leaders both expeditions were successful.
The army then provided Powell the time to study for a Master's degree in business administration at George Washington University. He received the degree in 1971, after which he worked as an analyst at the Pentagon before securing what he called a "dream job": an appointment as a prestigious White House fellow in the Office of Management and Budget under the director, Caspar Weinberger, and his deputy, Frank Carlucci, two men of rising influence in Washington who perceived Powell's uncommon abilities and who would help shape his career. A man of commanding presence at six feet one inch and 200 pounds, Powell was assigned to South Korea in 1973 to command a battalion troubled by racial animosities. "I threw the bums out of the army and put the drug u...
The Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the United States. Since its creation in 1789, 112 justices have served on the Court. Of these 112 justices, four of them are women. President Ronald Reagan appointed the first female justice, Sandra Day O’Connor, in 1981; she served for 25 years. Sandra Day O’Connor changed the face of women in politics. Men dominated the Supreme Court yet Sandra Day O’Connor made strides in feminist politics and women's rights by breaking the glass ceiling in the legal profession. She offered an unbiased point of view on many topics including abortion rights, the death penalty, and affirmative action.
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, is not one of the most well-known presidents to have ever served in office though he did do some good things during his presidency. The vice president’s journey to the presidency began after the assassination of the beloved president, John F. Kennedy. Before serving as president, he was the youngest Senator to ever serve as a majority leader and he sat in the House of Representatives. Although Johnson served two terms as president, he only ran in one election because of the death of Kennedy. However, the one election he ran in, he won in by a landslide (Ridings & Melver 231). Lyndon B Johnson, the Democratic president, who served from 1963-1969, might have been infamous for the decisions he made during the Vietnam War, but his Great Society and Civil Rights Act helped shape the nation in a good way.
“A good leader inspires others with confidence in him; a great leader inspires others with confidence in themselves” (unknown). Black Hawk’s actions throughout his life time proved his ability to be a great leader. He involved himself in many great feats that would attract many followers to him for instance, becoming a warrior at the early age of fifteen and beyond that being successful in heading up many other attack expeditions at a very young age. Playing a large role in two major wars also helped Black Hawk to become a leader.
Kennedy’s New Frontier Program As the President elect of the United States in 1960, John F. Kennedy aspired, to accomplish much during his presidency. Kennedy confidently called his initiatives “The New Frontier” taking on numerous major challenges. Some of the challenges were boosting the United States economy by ending a recession and promoting growth in the economy, aiding third world countries by establishing the Peace Corps sending men and women overseas to assist developing countries in meeting their own necessities. Additional challenges were too built-up the United States National Defense and furthered the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) programs.
“Climb on one’s back and stand on their shoulders to reach the top” this is what the Coronel Colin Powell hints to recent graduating students from the Howard University in 1994. The Commencement Speech was long enough to motivate the graduating students. In addition, it was proper and formal. When the speech began, Powell was excited by ending on sharing his own experiences and giving great advices for those future professionals. Powell´s Commencement Speech demonstrates his interest by sharing his thoughts, and its language was uplifting and captivating. (502).
He talks about how he was criticized for making a student stand at attention in front of the classroom to shake his hand. Powell's belief that all children need structure and that is why the young adult is standing at attention in front of the class. He does this with most kids that he meets in a classroom environment. The reason he does this is that of his military background. Powell explains why, that when individuals enter the military they would have all the same clothes, cut their hair. Then they are introduced to the drill sergeant that they would hate. The individuals would learn structure and were taught "yes sir; no sir; no excuse sir." (Powell) After this would happen they learned to admire the drill
Hank Williams was arguably the most influential country music star of all time. Though his life of fame was short-lived, his legend continues to live among millions of fans. Hank was the first legendary country music singer, and he was an innovator of his time. Hank helped country music spread from the rural south to other parts of the nation. Hank was launched to fame with many songs such as “Your Cheatin Heart,” “Jambalaya,” and “Cold, Cold Heart.” The legacy of Hank Williams continues to influence country music fans worldwide.
A leader can be defined as one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leaders and followers. General George Washington was conceivably the one indispensable man among the Founding Fathers. He was the only one out of many others to command the respect needed to lead the Continental Army to victory over Great Britain and to preside over the Constitutional Convention. During the eight years Revolutionary War from 1775-1783 with Great Britain and America soldiers, General George Washington has proven to be a formidable leader and this made him recognizable later as a presidential selection. John C. Maxwell, the author of Communication Lessons From America’s Founding Father, draws attention to General Washington strong qualities of being a
Barack Obama leadership styles help for the success of the country and also the world.
General Colin Powell did the Commencement speech at Howard University on May 25, 1994. He did the speech after a cloud of controversy had happen at the university. A racist Black Muslim made a speech at Howard University. Howard policy is that anybody can express his or her freedom of speech on there campus. As you can figure out, the white community did not think of that very well. Connie Chung did a report saying that Howard University was a racist institution. All of this pressure was coming down at once. Howard said that they did not agree with the Black Muslims beliefs but will let them speak and express their opinions.
Some people were born to be great leaders and some were born to be great learners. I ask myself this question, “How was I created?” Was I born a leader or was I molded to lead. As I explain my philosophy on how I want to lead, I will first dive into my past to recognize and pin point my creator. October 27th 2004 I raise my right hand in order to serve and protect the United State against all enemies, foreign and domestic. At this moment in my young personal leadership journey, I get my first glimpse of a leadership style, “shut up and listen.”