The Leadership Lessons of the Past

Posted by Aleksandar M. Velkoski on July 26, 2009 under General Leadership | Be the First to Comment

The study of leadership dates back thousands of years. So, why do we spend the majority of our time glorifying concepts of leadership that have only been written in the past decade (much of it based in previous scholarship)? Throughout history there have been many authors (some unknown) that have dedicated their time to the development of leadership theory. Confucius, Plutarch, and Machiavelli are just some examples of excellent leadership authorship.

In the same manner, throughout history, there have been excellent examples of leadership. It would be my opinion that ancient history has given us more useful examples of leadership than that which we have seen with our own eyes in modern decades. My point is not to discredit the leadership or leadership study of today, but to give a little credit to the forgotten leadership and leadership study of the past.

Alexander the Great is probably one of the most infamous leaders of the past. I like to study Alexander the Great because his leadership intellect seems flawless. Take, for example, his attitude toward culture. During a time when ethnicity and culture was the strongest prevailing force in society, Alexander utilized other cultures to strengthen his own . Alexander did so with systematic precision – knowing off-the-bat that the Macedonians were neither powerful nor numerous enough to fulfill his complex agenda (especially bordering with the more powerful Hellenic tribes). He took something that was so emotionally powerful and partitioning to individuals of the time (i.e. culture), and turned it into genius strategy and strength.

I’m not, by any means, saying that ambiguity is the key to success in leadership. What I am saying, however, is that there are little, but extremely powerful, lessons that we can learn from studying the authors, leaders, and laymen of the past. Alexander never relinquished his quest for glory, but rather dedicated his entire life to it. His passion for success was unmatched. In his own words, as recorded by one ancient author, “do you think I can relinquish this quest for glory, the one thing to which I have dedicated my entire life? No, I shall not fail in my duty…” Take some time to research the ancient authors and to study ancient leadership. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

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