Leadership Principles (continued)
Develop leaders—After Xenophon’s speech, he is asked to take command of a segment of the Greek army. Following a discussion about whether they can trust the enemy, Xenophon says, “‘We all know only too well, that the king and Tissaphernes have seized as many of us as they could, and it is clear they are plotting to destroy the rest of us if they can. . . .. Rely upon this then, all you who are here assembled, now is your great opportunity. The soldiers outside have their eyes fixed upon you; if they think that you are faint-hearted, they will turn cowards; but if you show them that you are making your own preparations to attack the enemy, and setting an example to the rest—follow you, be assured, they will: imitate you they will. . . .
“‘At this very moment you would confer a great boon on the army, if you made it your business to appoint generals and officers to fill the places of those that are lost. For without leaders nothing good or noble, to put it concisely, was ever wrought anywhere; and in military matters this is absolutely true; for if discipline is held to be of saving virtue, the want of it has been the ruin of many ere now. . . . You know, I need hardly remind you, it is not numbers or strength that gives victory in war; but, heaven helping them, to one or other of two combatants it is given to dash with stouter hearts to meet the foe, and such onset, in nine cases out of ten, those others refuse to meet. This observation, also, I have laid to heart, that they, who in matters of war seek in all ways to save their lives, are just they who, as a rule, die dishonorably; whereas they who, recognizing that death is the common lot and destiny of all men, strive hard to die nobly: these more frequently, as I observe, do after all attain to old age, or, at any rate, while life lasts, they spend their days more happily. This lesson let all lay to heart this day, for we are just at such a crisis of our fate. Now is the season to be brave ourselves, and to stimulate the rest by our example.’”[i]
In two paragraphs, Xenophon captures the essence of leadership. He walks the surviving leaders through the steps necessary for the Ten Thousand to have the best chance of survival. Following his recommendations, commanders are chosen to be generals and, not surprising, Xenophon is among those chosen. “By the time the new generals had been chosen, the first faint glimmer of dawn had hardly commenced …”[ii] All of this occurs immediately following Xenophon’s dream. Things move quickly, through Xenophon’s leadership they select leaders, he emphasizes the need for them to act with confidence, and he gives them reasons to be confident.
After several newly selected generals speak, “Xenophon arose; he was arrayed for war in his bravest apparel: ‘For,’ he said to himself, ‘if the gods grant victory, the finest attire will match with victory best; or if I must needs die, then for one who has aspired to the noblest, it is well there should be some outward correspondence between his expectation and his end.”[iii] Xenophon enumerates reasons for optimism, including reminding them their ancestors defeated the ancestors of the enemy they faced and noting their recent successes on the battlefield. Recognizing the enemy’s advantages, Xenophon dispels any doubts his comrades have about how to address them successfully.
Next, Xenophon addresses issues of guides and provisions, as well as rivers needing to be crossed. With each, he suggests a means of dealing with it. Then, he suggests they burn their carts and tents in order to be more flexible in reacting to the enemy and suggests changing their escape routes. His final topic relates to the enemy’s belief, because it killed the Greeks’ generals, recognizing discord and lack of discipline are likely to occur within the Ten Thousand, he recommends they require commanders to come to the aid of commanders needing assistance in punishing disobedience. All of Xenophon’s recommendations are accepted unanimously.
Continuing to fill the leadership vacuum, Xenophon addresses the need for provisions and recommends they attack nearby villages. He also recommends Chirisophus take the lead, the two oldest generals guard the sides, and the two youngest generals, he and Timasion, guard the rear. [iv]
Xenophon understands the necessity for the Ten Thousand to develop leaders. To return home safely, they must travel more than 1,700 miles through hostile territory, often over difficult terrain, during a winter season. Leaders will be needed throughout the expedition. Therefore, he models leadership: shares his vision of a successful future; motivates his followers by focusing on the future; instills confidence by objectively enumerating pros and cons and gives advice on how to overcome the cons; shares his thinking; demonstrates transparency, concern for his followers, and commitment to see them safely through the expedition; and chooses to remain with the army when it would be easy for him to return home safely. He reminds the newly appointed leaders of the importance of exuding confidence in front of their troops, maintains a positive attitude, and repeats the goal, keeping it foremost in their minds—returning safely to their families.
Next: Leadership ABCs—X (Part 4)
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[i] https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1170/1170-h/1170-h.htm#link2H_4_0003,Gutenberg’s Anabasis, Book III, Chapter I.
[ii] Ibid, Chapter II.
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] Ibid.
