How to Be a Leader
An Ancient Guide to Wise Leadership
Book Edition Details
Summary
Leadership isn’t just a role—it’s an art, sculpted through history and human insight. Enter the world of Plutarch, where wisdom from the ancients shapes modern leaders. In "How to Be a Leader," Jeffrey Beneker unveils newly translated essays that capture the essence of true leadership. From the calculating minds of Pericles and Alexander to the strategic brilliance of Caesar, these pages offer a portal to timeless strategies and moral lessons. Plutarch’s discerning eye scrutinizes ambition, urging leaders to shun vanity and embrace reason. This compelling collection isn’t merely a historical exploration but a blueprint for anyone striving to lead with integrity and foresight, offering poignant lessons wrapped in vivid anecdotes.
Introduction
In boardrooms and council chambers across the world, leaders grapple with a fundamental tension that has persisted for millennia: How do we wield power wisely while truly serving those we lead? The challenge of balancing personal ambition with genuine service tests every leader, from corporate executives to community organizers. Yet within the wisdom of ancient leaders lies a profound truth that remains startlingly relevant today. True leadership isn't about commanding from a position of isolation, but about cultivating an inner compass that guides us toward noble governance. When we understand that our character fundamentally shapes our capacity to serve others, we unlock the potential to lead with both strength and humility, creating lasting positive change that extends far beyond our immediate sphere of influence.
Build Character Before Seeking Power
Character formation serves as the invisible foundation upon which all meaningful leadership rests, much like a builder's foundation determines the stability of everything constructed upon it. Without this solid moral groundwork, even the most skilled leaders will eventually find their authority crumbling under the weight of their own contradictions and inconsistencies. Consider the stark contrast between Clearchus, the tyrant of Heraclea Pontica, and Epaminondas of Thebes. Clearchus lived in such paralyzing fear of those he ruled that he would curl himself into a box like a snake when he went to sleep, transforming his own bedroom into a personal prison. His paranoia grew so intense that he could find no peace even in his most private moments, demonstrating the inevitable fate of leaders who rule through fear rather than virtue. Meanwhile, Epaminondas demonstrated a completely different understanding of leadership responsibility. When his fellow citizens abandoned themselves to drunken festival celebrations, he alone kept vigilant watch over the city's weapons and walls. He explained his solitary vigil simply: by remaining sober and alert, he was enabling others to enjoy themselves safely. This leader found his greatest satisfaction not in personal pleasure, but in ensuring the wellbeing and security of those under his care. The transformation from self-serving to service-oriented leadership requires deliberate cultivation of what the ancients called Reason, not mere intellectual capacity, but the development of moral wisdom that governs our emotions and impulses. Begin each day by examining your motivations and decisions through the lens of service rather than self-interest, asking yourself how your actions can genuinely benefit those you lead. This simple practice gradually reshapes your character, building the inner strength necessary for noble leadership that endures through every challenge.
Lead Through Service, Not Self-Interest
Authentic leadership emerges not from the pursuit of personal glory but from a genuine commitment to serving others and advancing the common good. This principle transforms leadership from a position of privilege into a sacred responsibility that grows more meaningful with experience and wisdom, creating trust that transcends political divisions and personal disagreements. The Roman tribune Livius Drusus understood this principle profoundly when faced with a decision about his living arrangements. When his house had many rooms visible to his neighbors, a craftsman offered to rearrange and relocate those rooms for five talents, ensuring complete privacy from prying eyes. Drusus responded with remarkable wisdom that would define his entire political career: "Take ten talents, and make my whole house visible, so that every citizen may see how I live my life." This decision proved transformative for Drusus's leadership effectiveness. Citizens began to trust him implicitly because they could observe his consistent character in all circumstances, witnessing that his private virtue matched his public pronouncements perfectly. His transparency created an unshakeable foundation for his authority, and people followed him not because they feared his power, but because they respected his integrity and believed wholeheartedly in his commitment to their welfare. To lead through service, regularly examine whether your decisions benefit others or primarily serve your own interests. Develop the habit of seeking input from those who will be most affected by your choices, especially those with less power or influence. Create systems that ensure your leadership serves the broader community rather than narrow constituencies, and practice the kind of transparency that builds trust rather than merely managing perceptions.
Master Strategic Relationships and Trust
The art of effective leadership extends far beyond individual excellence to encompass the delicate skill of building and maintaining strategic relationships based on mutual respect and shared purpose. Wise leaders understand that sustainable success requires creating networks of genuine cooperation rather than attempting to dominate through isolated strength, recognizing that the quality of our alliances often determines the ultimate impact of our leadership efforts. Themistocles and Aristides, despite their intense political rivalry that divided Athenian citizens on virtually every domestic policy issue, demonstrated this principle beautifully through their remarkable ability to collaborate when their city's interests were at stake. Whenever they were selected to represent Athens abroad on embassies or military campaigns, these fierce political opponents would completely set aside their personal animosity at the city's border, working together seamlessly for Athens' benefit, then resume their spirited competition upon returning home. This strategic cooperation proved invaluable for Athens' international standing and security. Foreign powers could never exploit divisions between these leaders because they consistently presented a united front when representing their city's interests abroad. Their ability to separate personal rivalry from public service elevated both men's reputations significantly and strengthened Athens' position in complex international negotiations. Citizens came to respect leaders who could put the common good above personal grudges, seeing this as the highest form of patriotic service. Identify potential allies whose core values align with yours, even if you disagree on specific tactics or approaches. Practice separating personal preferences from larger organizational goals, actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with rivals when such cooperation serves the greater good. Build relationships based on mutual respect and shared principles rather than mere convenience, creating a foundation for long-term strategic partnerships that can weather inevitable disagreements and changing circumstances.
Age with Grace and Continued Purpose
The highest expression of leadership wisdom lies in understanding how to adapt and evolve your service throughout different seasons of life, recognizing that experience and wisdom can become your greatest assets rather than limitations. Paradoxically, leaders often increase their effectiveness by voluntarily limiting certain aspects of their power while focusing their energy on areas where their accumulated wisdom provides the greatest value to their communities. King Theopompus of Sparta exemplified this principle when he made the revolutionary decision to involve the ephors in royal affairs, fundamentally transforming the nature of Spartan monarchy. His wife reproached him bitterly for this decision, complaining that he would leave their children an office weaker than the one he had inherited from his ancestors. His response revealed profound leadership wisdom that would echo through centuries: "Actually, it will be stronger, to the same degree that it is more stable." Theopompus recognized that concentrated power, while appearing strong on the surface, actually creates dangerous instability through the resentment and resistance it inevitably generates among those excluded from decision-making. By distributing authority among multiple parties, he created a system of checks and balances that protected both the monarchy and the state from the destructive dangers of unchecked power. His decision transformed the Spartan monarchy from a precarious autocracy into a stable institution that endured for centuries, proving his wisdom correct. Deliberately create opportunities for capable team members to exercise meaningful authority within their areas of expertise, rather than micromanaging every decision. Establish clear boundaries and expectations, then trust competent people to operate effectively within those parameters. Focus your energy on strategic thinking, relationship building, and providing wisdom during crises, while stepping back from tasks that others can handle. This approach not only reduces your workload but also develops others' leadership capabilities while building their deep commitment to organizational success.
Summary
The wisdom of ancient leaders speaks directly to our contemporary challenges because human nature and the fundamental requirements of good governance remain constant across centuries and cultures. Character, service, strategic relationships, and graceful adaptation are not outdated concepts but timeless necessities for anyone who would lead others effectively and create lasting positive change. As one ancient observer noted, "The leader is the image of god, who gives order to everything," suggesting that our highest calling lies in bringing harmony and justice to the communities we serve, transcending personal ambition to become instruments of transformation. Begin tomorrow by implementing one specific practice from this ancient wisdom: examine your motivations before making important decisions, asking whether your choices serve the greater good or merely your personal interests, and commit to one small act of service that benefits others without seeking recognition. These simple actions, repeated consistently over time, will gradually transform both your character and your effectiveness as a leader, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond your immediate sphere of influence.
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By Plutarch
