Book | The Leadership Secrets (2002)

"Pissed-off people are the inevitable result of challenging the status quo. In fact, they may be the best indicator that the leader is on the right track." - Oren Harari

The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell by Oren Harari is a practical leadership book that is enjoyable to read. In the book, Oren Harari shared his insight on leadership and how to make a difference.  I read this book twice, but I still like to keep it with me. Taking action is more important than pondering. The book is a practical guide to taking leadership actions. 

The following perspectives are found valuable: 

• Knowing When to Piss People Off - Critical decisions often have to move somebody's cheese. Changes can most likely make people living on the status quo uncomfortable. However, brave leaders can make tough decisions and are not afraid of making somebody mad. While who to make crazy and how to gain general organizational consensus require excellent leadership skills.
• Don't look for "No" - You can't succeed if you have doubts about your idea. Therefore, it's essential to search for suggestions instead of permissions, listen to criticisms to adjust instead of finding reasons to quit and negotiate to accomplish instead of giving up. There could be many excuses to procrastinate, many roadblocks to making the mission look impossible, and many doubts when you can't see clear directions. During these times, staying on the path and working is the key to success. 
• Make a Plan - don't overthink; instead, take action. It's a great idea to use the calendar to get started. Every big project starts with simple steps. ​​

Editor's Notes (10/8/2021): Hearing the news that Mr. Powell passed away of Covid-19, we express our respect and appreciation for his contribution to the public. ​