It’s Up to You! Leadership Lessons from the Ancients for GCs Today

Ancient leaders throughout history have shown us what it takes to overcome obstacles. Their leadership lessons are as fresh and relevant today as they were thousands of years ago, perhaps even more-so as we face similar challenges brought on by war, pandemics (plagues), weather or social and political upheaval. Especially instructive for a general counsel today are the enduring leadership lessons of Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon, Marcus Aurelius of Rome, Socrates of Greece and Confucius of China. Each offers valuable lessons for our boardrooms, war rooms or courtrooms. I certainly have found them helpful in my 40-plus years of practicing law. The past informs the future and there is literally nothing new under the sun.Alexander the GreatRecently, I had the good fortune to travel in the footsteps of Alexander III, born in Pella in June 356 BC, the son of Macedonian King Phillip II and mother Olympias. Much of what I learned in my research on this trip is captured in this article. When Alexander was 13 years old, his father hired philosopher Aristotle, who served as the boy’s tutor and mentor until Alexander was 16. Although Alexander certainly was influenced by his tutor’s teachings, he developed his…