General Colin Powell

I went to a conference the other day at which General Colin Powell was a keynote speaker, and I have to say, it was really exciting to hear him and see him in person. (no, I did not meet him, sadly). Honestly, I had never paid that much attention to him; I knew from magazines that he was an active leader and I was definitely aware that like most people in positions of power, was surrounded by plenty of controversy over his actions and inactions. I recall a time vaguely disliking him, but cannot remember the reason behind that leaning (perhaps just agreeing with the opinion of my friends. who can say...?)

Whatever my thoughts or lack of thoughts have been, and stating outright that I know very little about what he has actually done and not done, or whether I would like or dislike them... I really enjoyed hearing him. When he walked onto the stage, it was with such a command that you were instantly ready to listen to this person, and when he spoke, you still wanted to listen!

I think what I really apreciated was that he gave something of an answer to a question I have been pondering in my personal thoughts. If I ever want to "become someone important/powerful," what happens when that time is over? So many people talk about something being their purpose in life... and if your purpose in life is to do x job, what about when that job is finished? Should you just finish yourself off, since your life mission or purpose is completed?

There are many things I could say here on what I think about life mission and/or purpose, but that is neither here nor there. Whatever one's reason for being at the top is... the fact is, it will come to an end like all other things. Moreover, if that end comes before your death rather than as a result of it, what does that mean for you?

Gen. Powell talked about how yes, he has been a world leader and the fact is, now he is "just another ordinary person." [ordinary meant as being like others not in politically powerful positions.] And he spoke about the transition that requires, and the questioning you experience, and the fact that whether you are at the top or the bottom... you are still yourself, and your life [as being, you] is not over.

It was encouraging to hear someone like him speak of the position he was in not as the end-all-be-all/end-of-your-life-journey, but as a step along the way in continuing to be you. Furthermore, he spoke of such positions as not being ones that you seek--to paraphrase him, "A real leader does not even need to look for followers; a real leader is someone people will follow if for nothing other than curiousity." He also talked a lot about how leadership is not just about positioning yourself, if it is about that at all. Leadership is, instead, about taking care of your followers and making sure that they are in the best possible place and will continue to be so.

I don't know about his politics... but what I heard of him, and how he appeared IRL to me at the conference makes me say his lifestyle/character is one that perhaps I would not mind people following more.