Introduction
We slipped into the backseat of his limo, heading off to another event in the nation’s capital. That happened often for General Colin Powell as Joint Chiefs chairman and for me as his assistant.
In the 10-minute ride that lay before us, I knew I could grab Powell’s undivided attention. I intended to tell him I’d received an offer of another job for another boss, a pretty big one at that: a former president of the United States.
He nodded as I told him I’d been asked to be the PR guy for Ronald Reagan. When I finished, my proud moment was met at first with silence.
Then he turned his head and looked me in the eye. “Congratulations,” he said. “But don’t become intoxicated with the offer of power.”
He was right, and I knew it. Fortunately, ...
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