No matter how significant or life-changing your greatest hit or miss might be, neither even begins to define who you are. Each of us is a product of … - Colin Powell

Each of us is a product of all our experiences and all our interactions with other people.

It takes more courage to send men into battle than to fight the battle yourself.

Three Envelopes Construct.” The outgoing leader gives the new leader three envelopes — labeled “Envelope 1,” “Envelope 2,” and “Envelope 3” — and tells him to open them in order if he runs into trouble. The new leader launches in a blaze of glory. But after a month or so, troubles start landing on him. He opens the first envelope, and the note inside says: “Blame me.” So he goes around complaining about the mess he inherited. Things settle down, but a couple of months later he is back in trouble. He opens the second envelope: “Reorganize.” He immediately starts a major study to determine the kind of reorganization that would improve the situation. For months, the reorganization study moves all the boxes and people around and creates a new paradigm. Everyone is distracted. The new paradigm looks exciting, but nothing is solved and everyone is confused. The now no longer new commander is in dire straits and beside himself with worry. In desperation he opens the third envelope. The note says: “Prepare three envelopes.

that solving problems is what leaders do. The day you are not solving problems or are not up to your butt in problems is probably a day you are no longer leading.