What Ancient Greeks Teaches us about Leadership
The ancient Greek philosophers were very clear, only leaders with arete (excellence) where truly capable of guiding their polities, armies, and countries through difficult times and Demagogues were dangerous and would only led their people to ruin in good times.
The concept of arete was simple: demonstrated competence and character in active service to the community. Such leaders possessed the skills needed to do their jobs well and the judgment to make sound decisions in challenging circumstances.
They adhered to the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline, using the Principles of Guidance through explicitness and accountability to do the right thing, even when it was unpopular.
Being competent and following the virtues was not enough. You had to be an exemplar and demonstrate these qualities in service to your community to advance the common good.
If you did not have competence, no one trusted your abilities. Without character, you lacked the moral compass to make tough choices for the common good. Unless you demonstrated arete in the public square, people would think you couldn’t walk the talk.
Too often, public figures proved the importance of these three elements by showing the consequences of their absence. After Pericles died in the plague, corrupt Athenian politicians led the most powerful city of the Mediterranean world into defeat. Alexander the Great conquered a vast empire but lost trust when his soldiers and citizens grew to doubt his character. Julius Caesar was the most celebrated leader in Rome until he set himself up as a dictator. Much of ancient tragedy, comedy, and history are cautionary tales of hubris and vulgar fame.
Learning from ancient Greeks and Romans can help you emerge stronger in difficult times. Leading with arete will help you make the pivotal decisions that guide you to new heights and serve as the exemplar who inspires others to contribute their best efforts.
The 6 Principles of Guidance
First, be authentic so that you lead as your best self, prune away average habits that hold you back, and build the right team around you.
Second, follow the three core principles of trustworthiness, respect, and stewardship so that people believe in you, bring out the best in each other, and your team gets better each day.
Next, practice empathy so that you can see yourself and your team through the eyes of others and stay ahead of the competition, avoid blindsides, and bring out the best in each teammate.
Fourth, take responsibility so that you can promote innovation and sensible risk-taking and hold people accountable for results and values.
Fifth, connect the why so that everyone knows exactly how their work contributes to success. Once this happens, your team will do what’s right, the right way, without you having to watch.
Finally, multiply your experiences. Personal experience is the best teacher of leadership. It is also the school of hard knocks, and the tuition can be costly. Learning from others lets you gain many lifetimes of experience very quickly to make sound decisions and avoid mistakes.