• It Worked for Me

  • In Life and Leadership
  • By: Colin Powell
  • Narrated by: Colin Powell
  • Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,821 ratings)

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It Worked for Me  By  cover art

It Worked for Me

By: Colin Powell
Narrated by: Colin Powell
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Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Personal Development, 2013

It Worked for Me is filled with vivid experiences and lessons learned that have shaped the legendary career of the four-star general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. At its heart are Powell's "Thirteen Rules" - such as "Get mad, then get over it" and "Share credit" - that introduce his principles for effective leadership: conviction, hard work, and, above all, respect for others.

A natural storyteller, Powell offers warm and engaging parables with wise advice on succeeding in the workplace and beyond. "Trust your people," he counsels as he delegates presidential briefing responsibilities to two junior State Department desk officers. "Do your best - someone is watching," he advises those just starting out, recalling his own teenage job mopping floors in a factory.

Powell combines the insight he gained in the military and four presidential administrations with lessons from his immigrant-family upbringing in the Bronx and his training in the ROTC. The result is a powerful portrait of a leader who is reflective, self-effacing, and grateful for everyone he works with.

A brilliant and original blueprint for leadership, Colin Powell's It Worked for Me is bound to inspire, move, and surprise readers.

Includes an interview with the author.

©2012 Colin Powell (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Featured Article: 55+ Powerful and Inspiring Quotes to Guide Your Leadership Journey


What makes a great leader? While leadership styles vary, most experts agree that the best leaders have key characteristics in common. Gathered from a wide range of audiobooks—classic novels, management guides, sci-fi thrillers, political memoirs, and more—this collection of quotes reinforces and reflects on seven hallmarks of every great leader. These quotes offer insights to help you develop core leadership qualities and rise to the calling.

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What listeners say about It Worked for Me

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    4 out of 5 stars

It worked for me too.

I have always admired Colin Powell. I have a liking for the element of military discipline which cuts throught nonsense and gets to the point and have always felt that Colin Powell embodies this. Except for the fact that he pronounces his name wrong. Although he does make a reasonable excuse for that somewhere in the last quarter of the book.

The rest of the book is probably fairly predicatble in its content but worthwhile for all that. There are nuggets in here which translate into other aspects of life but the bias is, as expected, to see things from the perspective of a military background. Its not about fighting but it is about winning if that makes any sense.

I'm delighted that Powell does his own narration and the last few minutes where he does a bit about recording the audiobook are an absolute delight. It feels like this is a really clever guy chatting about something he has just done that has got him a bit excited - absolute audio gold.

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26 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I don't really like his politics or what he seems to represent in terms of the Bush administration but he is clearly an incredible man, an incredible leader and a brilliant role model. This is an inspirational and uplifting book from someone who has really done a lot in life and got there through hard work and decency. Highly recommended.

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17 people found this helpful

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Great Story Teller

When Powell's first book came out I rushed out and got it. I was impressed with his writing and looked forward to more books by him. He has a natural story telling gift. This book covers his famous "thirteen rules" which can be used by anyone in any role in life. He covers his time under President Regan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. and his role as Secretary of State. I was very interested in his discussion of his UN speech, how it came about and the mistakes in the speech. He covered what he is doing with his life now and the importance of education, he had discussed the student exchange program at the State Department for high school teens from a variety of countries. I was not aware this program was available., I think it is a great idea. Wished they had something like that when I was in high school. Great book and he did a good job with the narration. Almost could be called a motivation book and how well the military can educate a young man.

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14 people found this helpful

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Anecdotes from a Wise Turk

Where does It Worked for Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of the better audio books I've purchased. Sometimes your excited to get a book but after listening for for a while you become disappionted. Not the case with this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of It Worked for Me?

I enjoyed listening to his thirteen rules and how he appiled them.

Have you listened to any of Colin Powell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first book of his I have ever listened to. He dose a great job of with the performance. I would not have gotten the book if he ( Colin Powell ) did not read it himself, nor would I have enjoyed so much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the old jewish tot shop owner pulled a young Colin aside and informed him that he, Colin, would not be inheriting the shop one day. The jewish imigrant told colin that he had to much potential to run a toy store. Although, Colin had no aspirations to run the store, he appreciated that a mentor would pull him aside to tell him he had value.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the few audio books I've listened to more than once.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Surprisingly entertaining and informative

What made the experience of listening to It Worked for Me the most enjoyable?

The book had a good flow from start to finish, I found myself compelled from one section to another.

What was one of the most memorable moments of It Worked for Me?

The humility and quality of the material presented gave it credence. So often books like this feel contrived and I didn't get that impression from Mr. Powell at all.

What does Colin Powell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The fact that Colin Powell read his own work gave it a credibility that I think would be difficult for an actor reading the same material.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book much more than I expected to.

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8 people found this helpful

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General Powell

This is not Gen Powell best book but since I think he can do no wrong, it gets extra stars.
I was surprised to hear his take on conversations with Pres Regan and Pres George W -- my take was completely different! Still, Gen Powell is a proven leader and diplomat so maybe his take it the correct one even though it gives me fits of eye-rolling. The good Gen doesn't mind people disagreeing with him, in fact he encourages debate. That keeps me from feeling disloyal. Phew!

He does add interesting details to both Iraq wars and the war in Afghanistan. Add this information to that found in The Art of Intelligence by Henry Crumpton and an interesting picture of D.C. decision making develops. It's especially interesting for those who participated in those wars.

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8 people found this helpful

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Great Advice from an Amazing American

This book was full of Gen. Powell's advice and anecdotes for everything from family to work to leadership to life. I learned a great deal from his discussions of his 13 Rules of Leadership. There were bits of information that I can apply immediately. I thought this book was so useful that I will buy the print version just so I can have it to more easily refer to. The General does a great job reading the book and the stories he tells have much more impact coming from his own lips. I have recommended this book to my friends in the military and out, and highly recommend it as required reading for anyone in a leadership role. You'll take away a great deal of life lessons from this book - it's definitely worth the time, money, and effort!

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6 people found this helpful

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Genuine and Real

There are not many people these days that are true Leaders & humble Warriors.
I study this book on a regular basis and do my best to put this great man’s words into
Actions. Is he perfect? No he is not and he does feel that way either. He is a smart and unselfish leader who is reasonable and rational. I honestly wish we had more like him in the world. The personal reading of this book makes
All the difference and I enjoyed this tremendously. Thank you Sir for such a brilliant expression of art and truth.

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Best book I have listened to in a long time.

Where does It Worked for Me rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I normally listen to Sci-Fi books, but I am ex military and wanting to move up into a leadership role at work. Mr. Powell has always been a role model for me so I thought I would take a listen to his book. I was pleasantly surprised that he is the narrator of this book. By far this is now my favorite book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Busy Bastards, because my work is full of them. They are not who you think. Read the book.

Have you listened to any of Colin Powell’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would love to have the time to sit down and hear this book all at one time. His answers fit perfectly into the military mantra that is already installed within me. I have listened to parts over already because I was in awe of how he expanded to deal with a situation.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Powell’s book is a great read for any veteran that is transitioning into the “real world”.

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A Hard disk of knowledge

A beautiful journey.
How else could we ever, ever learn some of what he has experienced.
Clear concise knowledge, straight from the gut.
Even though I'm not very aware of the American history, this book will be a companion for time to come.
Thank you Mr Colin, thank you very much

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