Two trusted perspectives on how to define leadership

Last week I wrote about the best definitions of leadership. It focused on John Maxwell and Peter Drucker’s definitions.

This week I will share perspectives from two famous US Army Generals — Colin Powell and Dwight Eisenhower.

By putting all these pieces together I think we start to appreciate both the complexity and components that comprise leadership.

Who is General Colin Powell?

General Colin Powell was one of the greatest US Army Generals in the last century. According to Wikipedia Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years. He held a myriad of command and staff positions.

He rose to the rank of 4-star General. Powell completed multiple combat tours in the Vietnam War. He is a highly decorated veteran and leader.

General Powell served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989), as Commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command (1989) and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993) during the Persian Gulf War.

General Powell is a pioneer

Powell was the first, and so far the only, African American to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.