In 2006 the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty was awarded to Mart Laar, who as prime minister of Estonia had implemented free-market reforms that made the country a star of the post-Soviet world. During the 1990s Estonia moved from 94th to 24th in the Economic Freedom of the World index. 

As we planned the award ceremony, and particularly a short video, we looked for people who could speak about Laar’s accomplishments. A colleague had a long-shot idea: how about Colin Powell, whose tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State had overlapped with Laar’s time in office? We contacted his office, and sure enough, he agreed to do it. We were delighted.

On the appointed day, we went to the Alexandria, Va., building where he maintained an office. We were directed not to his office but to a room on a different floor that looked like it was just set up for video. Soon Secretary Powell arrived, tall, smiling, owning the room. He quickly shook hands with everyone and took his seat. When our young video producer was a bit slow to call “Action!” Powell suggested we get started. He then launched into a crisp, fluent narrative about Mart Laar’s achievement. Then, about 40 seconds in, he said, “Stop, we can do this better.” He paused, started again, and did it better. The first time had been great. The second take was just as smooth and a little better organized. After 90 seconds or so he stopped, confirmed that the cameraman got it, accepted our thanks, and departed. 

I didn’t spend much time with Colin Powell, but in our few minutes I saw he was crisp, efficient, friendly, and on top of his brief. That’s a recipe for success. RIP.