• 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 (2,826 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
It Worked for Me  By  cover art

It Worked for Me

By: Colin Powell
Narrated by: Colin Powell
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.74

Buy for $24.74

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

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.

More from the same

What listeners say about It Worked for Me

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,147
  • 4 Stars
    486
  • 3 Stars
    144
  • 2 Stars
    33
  • 1 Stars
    16
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,020
  • 4 Stars
    333
  • 3 Stars
    86
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    9
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,846
  • 4 Stars
    440
  • 3 Stars
    132
  • 2 Stars
    24
  • 1 Stars
    14

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

an excellent listen

Would you listen to It Worked for Me again? Why?

Yes many stories covering many topics from which I can learn.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Colin!

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

His voice and the natural inflictions that come with the author also dictating the words he wrote.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Defining Moments from a humble man

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More life lessons than I could ever consume

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There are certainly enough experiences in this book to fit anyone. It's a bounus having Powell read his own book as he's a great reader.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book by a stand up leader..

I really enjoyed the may lessons that he passed onto his listeners this book does a great job of drawing everyday life lessons from his milatry experience.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great life, leadership and followship lessons

I'm passing this on to my four children. Only one is military bound, but there is so much to learn from this respected elder.
I wish our current politicians (both Democrats & Republicans) would use such philosophies when working for We The People.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining Story

General Colin Powell is a very accomplished man with some great stories. They are entertaining as well as inspirational. It was nice to hear him read it himself. I will definitely listen to it again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good tips

Overall it allows you to see that this person and so many others in politics are not as two-dimensional as we usually think of them.
The sound rationality of the life lessons here will reverberate in your own life some way or another.
Even though towards the end it feels like it becomes a commercial for his availability for public speaking, there are still some nuggets of wisdom here and there.
A good read to get or keep your life on track.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very inspiring read! 5 stars

Colin Powell is a very inspiring human being. He is a great story teller. The book is well written. The stories are short and straight to the point. I can see myself using his lessons in my professional and personal life. Highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great!. i listen to this over and over

I seriously enjoyed this book and I believe you will too. It shows the real depth of our leaders

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Would you listen to It Worked for Me again? Why?

I loved this book. Colin Powell is just an amazing man, strong, bold & truthful. I found strength & humor in every chapter.

What about Colin Powell’s performance did you like?

It's terrific that he read his own book. It makes it that much more interesting to listen to. You get that exact emotion & humor he brings to it.

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

Very inspiring & extremely interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just amazing and life changing

I didn’t know that this book would have such a great impact on me. This book is profound.

I am so greatfull that Colin Powell wrote this book. Thank you and God bless you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!