SUCCESS Magazine had the privilege to interview retired General and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. The conversation focused on success, how Powell became as successful as he is, how others can become successful, etc., but they also talked about other subjects such as power and influence. The interview casts Powell in an interesting light, I believe; it shows us yet another side to a man who may very well be one of the most respected and appreciated men in America.

Powell describes himself as a “directionless” youngster. He did some things he is not proud of now, but he learned as a teenager that good behavior produces greater rewards than bad behavior.

He also spoke about his career; something I didn’t know about him is that his career was in serious trouble back in 1982 when he constantly pressed his superior about something the latter did not want to hear about. It resulted in a lukewarm review, which would basically end Powell’s dreams. He succeeded nonetheless, however, because he was already noticed by others with more power and influence than his direct superior.

Furthermore, interesting about Powell is that he was not a particularly good student. He studied, but he did not excel in his youth. He only started performing better when he was older; when he attended George Washington University (to earn his MBA) in his 30s he got good grades.

For all his career achievements, Powell says he did not build his life around goals: “I never put chalk marks on the wall [that indicated] I’ve got to do this. I’ve tried to do my best at what has come my way…. I’m not without ambition, but I’m not driven by ambition. I’ve had a full and active public life.” He added he would like to be remembered “as a good soldier who served well and is well thought of by his fellows.”

His best advice for others: “Look for something you love to do and you do well. Go for it. It will give you satisfaction in life. It could mean money, but it may not. It could mean a lot of titles, but it may not. But it will give you satisfaction.”

Lastly, Powell told SUCCESS something about the value of giving. “Every American citizen has an obligation to give back” to a nation that has created so much opportunity for him or her, SUCCESS quoted him as saying. “That means being a good citizen… but it also means performing community service and public service, sitting on the board of a nonprofit or even running for elective office. They can also help people through their church and workplace. With America’s Promise, we encourage people to get involved in the life of a young person.”

What’s most striking about the Powell interview is, in my opinion at least, his statement that he never truly set out goals for himself; he just did what had to be done. Many other great leaders – many former presidents for instance – did plan very carefully; every step they took was purposefully taken in order to reach ‘the goal’ they had set for themselves. Not so with Powell.

Perhaps that is the reason for his popularity; he is someone who serves others, not himself.