Remembering Colin Powell
December 10, 2021
Reflecting on the loss of a legendary servant leader in Colin Powell.
December 10, 2021
Welcome to the second installment of our monthly newsletter, the “VET” (Veteran Engagement Team). As mentioned in my inaugural note, I understand the importance of community and connection with others that comes from shared experiences. Our intent with the VET is to engage with veterans and leaders across the Summit Partners network to facilitate dialogue on current events, offer resources and provide educational content. Please feel free to forward this to any veterans you know who would benefit or who would like to join the community (subscribe below).
In our last issue we discussed the impact of recent events in Afghanistan on our veteran community. This month I wanted to address another current event: the loss of a legendary servant leader in Colin Powell several weeks ago. I have always viewed General Powell (I still have trouble referring to him as “Mr. Powell”) with reverence given his 40+ years of faithful service to the country, first as a soldier and then as a diplomat. As many have noted, he was a “pathbreaker”, serving as this country’s first Black National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State.
My reflection on General Powell stems from a trip to a portfolio company several weeks ago where I visited one of their sites in Compton, California. On my flight, I already had General Powel on my mind. But as I neared the facility, I passed the Colin Powell Academy for Success, and I viewed it as a sign that I should focus this month’s VET on him and what we can learn from his storied career.
In reading through countless obituaries and articles, it is clear that General Powell was a world-class leader and a once-in-a-generation mentor. But, in all my reading about his life, I was particularly struck by a quote where General Powell analyzed himself in the third person: “Powell is a problem-solver. He was taught as a soldier to solve problems. So, he has views, but he’s not an ideologue. He has passion, but he’s not a fanatic. He’s first and foremost a problem-solver.”
Leader. Mentor. Problem-solver.
There will never be another General Powell, but these qualities that defined him are also strengths exhibited by veterans of our Armed Services.
As you lead your companies through rapid growth in a challenging and dynamic environment, I ask you to think critically about open positions where you need problem-solvers, leaders and mentors. Odds are the best person to fill that position is a veteran.
Dave & the Summit Partners Veterans Community
P.S. GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!
(NOTE: you can help by forwarding this email to veterans within the Summit network so they can join the community and/or our LinkedIn Group)
Veteran Engagement Team Reads & Resources (R&R)
- Colin Powell Leaves Many Leadership Lessons For Corporate Executives — Forbes
- 18 Powerful Lessons in Leadership from Colin Powell — Department of Homeland Security
- ‘A terrific mentor’: Retired general from Charleroi recalls working with Colin Powell — Post Gazette
- Black military members on Colin Powell’s influence and importance — NBC News
- What Colin Powell learned about leadership after losing his sidearm — Task & Purpose
- Colin Powell, Who Shaped U.S. National Security, Dies at 84 — New York Times
Veterans Community Member Spotlight
In subsequent editions of the VET, we will profile members of our community, discussing their service, transition experience, and how they came to work in growth oriented business. If you have recommendations for someone we should profile or would like to volunteer yourself, please email us here here.
February Book of the Month
My American Journey — Colin Powell
Colin Powell himself tells us how it happened, in a memoir distinguished by a heartfelt love of country and family, warm good humor, and a soldier’s directness. My American Journey is the powerful story of a life well lived and well told.
Veteran Service Organization Spotlight
BreakLine — BreakLine helps veterans, women, and people of color pivot into compelling careers in the tech industry. Explore joining several world-class tech and tech-enabled firms who partner with Breakline to create a pipeline of top talent for their organizations.
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