If one was to define the word leadership, they must consider the many roles that leaders play and the qualities that make great leaders. Leadership positions can create power, wealth, and notoriety as well as evil and disgrace. Leaders are the heads of countries, states, counties, cities, and townships. Leaders are heads of companies, organizations, and clubs. Leaders are parents, teachers, coaches, doctors and students. Almost everyone plays a leadership role in some capacity. Most people play many different leadership roles, wearing many different hats and influence many people by their actions. Colin Powell has established an entirely new paradigm for leadership excellence. Through four U.S. presidents and countless world crises including the current high-stakes game against global terror, the blunt-spoken Colin Powell has grown to become one of the world's most effective bottom-line leaders of our time.
             Colin Powell was born in New York City on April 5, 1937 and was raised in the South Bronx. His parents, Luther and Maud Powell, immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. He was educated in the New York City public school system. In 1958 he received a B.S. degree in geology from City College of New York. While in college Powell was very active in the ROTC program and attained the rank of cadet colonel. Powell began his military career by accepting a second lieutenant's commission in the United States Army.
             In 1962, he served as a military advisor in South Vietnam and eventually became battalion executive officer and division operations officer in Vietnam in 1968. Returning to the United States, Powell earned an MBA degree from George Washington University in 1971. From 1972 to 1973, he served as assistant to the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. In 1973 he became a battalion commander in South Korea. Powell graduated from the National War College in 1976 and became commander o...