The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you… — Colin Powell | Printable Wall Art

“The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them.”

Words by Colin Powell (1937-2021) — U.S. Secretary of State, four-star general.

About this quote

True leadership relies entirely on trust. When people stop coming to you with their difficulties, it is rarely because everything is running smoothly. More often, it means they have lost faith in your ability or desire to help them. A good leader remains approachable and supportive, ensuring that team members feel safe seeking guidance when problems arise.

Colin Powell included this principle in his core leadership lessons, outlined in his 1995 memoir My American Journey. It reflects his long military career as a four-star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

People often display this quote in an office or study as a constant reminder of effective management.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 18 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Tracked Caps Unsigned · Editorial Justified

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.