Ronald Reagan & Accepting Responsibility

In one of Ronald Reagan’s cabinet meetings, General Colin Powell presented an idea he was passionate about. This discussion went on for about an hour with Reagan asking tough questions because he felt the proposal had flaws. In the end, however, he said, “Colin, it’s your call. If you think it will work, we’ll go for it.”

A few months later, however, Reagan was grilled at a news conference because the plan had failed miserably. One of the reporters asked the question, “Whose idea was this; yours or someone else’s?” Reagan didn’t hesitate. He said, “I take full responsibility.” He then glanced at Powell sitting in the front row and saw tears welling in his eyes.

After the news conference, Powell walked over to a friend and said, “I’d do anything for that man.”