Armitage describes the three golden rules of leadership.

Question: What makes a great leader?

Armitage:    I think there are three things.  First of all to be a great leader you have to have vision.  And following vision you have to have execution.  And following execution you have to have accountability.  If you lack all three, or any of the three, you cannot be a confident leader.

Question: Who are today’s great leaders?

Armitage:    Well I think first of all, there’s no question that Colin L. Powell is the most noteworthy leader with whom I’ve ever dealt and ever worked.  I’ve known a number of good leaders in the Department of State recently.  One by the name of Elizabeth __________; Marc Grossman, our Undersecretary.  These are folks that have a vision.  They also have the ability to execute and then to hold people accountable.  And I think through it all, a good leader has to have some element of compassion, and those folks certainly do.

    There are younger members on Capitol Hill that look as if they will be good leaders at some time.  I think they’re a little young.  Some of them are a little young at present, but I have hope that we’ll be growing some of these fellows.  You’ve seen a John Edwards who is not of my political party, but he’s a young, pretty well intentioned, dynamic fellow.