COLIN POWELL

His book, "IT WORKED FOR ME," has just been published. Colin Powell collected lessons that have shaped his career as a four star general and Secretary of State, and created a blue print for leadership -- offering advice for succeeding in the workplace and beyond.

You and I have heard bits and pieces of his story. We know that in 2003, he was tricked -- inveigled by President Bush and Vice President Cheney -- into making a speech at the U.N. that got us into the war in Iraq.

Later, Powell learned that the facts he was stating were NOT facts, were exaggerations and speculation. What a wham, what a shock it was for this man, who has served our country with stern, unshakeable honesty and integrity.

How does Powell feel about this now? What's he doing? What does he feel about the fact that he could have been our president right now, rather than Barack Obama? Powell is a black man that both Democrats and Republicans supported.

Colin Powell has said that he did not run for president because he promised his wife Alma that he wouldn't. Her fears that he might be assassinated are undoubtedly the fears that Michelle Obama feels about her husband.

I bow to Colin Powell-- respect, admire, and cherish him Here is a man right now, today, who represents integrity.

Here's a man who doesn't allow anyone to speak for him, or put words in his mouth that he doesn't believe.

He is teaching us, adults and our children, what worked for him. He says in a direct, always clear way, what he's thinking, and explains his point of view with humor, and his personal experience behind his words.

In the very first chapter of his book he says: "Here are my rules and the reasons I have hung on to them. The Thirteen Rules caught on. Over the past twenty-three years, my assistants have given out hundreds of copies of that list in many different forms; they have been PowerPointed and flashed around the world on the Internet.

"1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

"Well, maybe it will, maybe it won't. This rule reflects an attitude and not a prediction. I have always tried to keep my confidence and optimism up, no matter how difficult the situation. A good night's rest and the passage of just eight hours will usually reduce the infection. Leaving the office at night with a winning attitude affects more than you alone; it also conveys that attitude to your followers. It strengthens their resolve to believe we can solve any problem.

Wow, that's a big lesson, a lesson for a lifetime. I'm not trying to sell you this book, I'm just expressing a heartfelt wow. Here's a good man. Let's try to be more like him.