Leadership Principles (continued)
Admit and Learn from mistakes—In spite of the good things he does, Xenophon doesn’t perform perfectly—he makes mistakes. After such a splendid beginning to his leadership journey, Xenophon opts to attack the enemy after his command is attacked from the rear. Because his Greeks have no cavalry they can’t catch the retreating enemy. Although they suffer casualties, he is able to extricate himself and his troops and return safely to the Ten Thousand.
After being chastised by the other generals for acting impetuously and slowing down the army’s advance toward villages to secure provisions, instead of playing the blame game, Xenophon readily admits his mistake and says he learned much from it regarding weaknesses in their formation, tactics, and capabilities. Knowing the strengths of various elements of the Ten Thousand, he proposes a redistribution of soldiers to provide strength where they are weak. He analyzes the situation and recommends a change of tactics to provide protection against future attacks. His recommendations are adopted.
Xenophon continues viewing mistakes as opportunities for learning. His ability to analyze a situation and articulate a solution, produces many tactical changes during the expedition.
Be filled with hope—In The Expedition of Cyrus, Xenophon conveys an optimistic outlook to his comrades; he doesn’t complain; he is incredibly resilient; and he does what he says he will do. He instills hope in others.
In The Education of Cyrus, Xenophon presents Cyrus the Great as a person who, seemingly, is perfect in every way. The traits of a successful leader found in The Expedition of Cyrus are also identified by Xenophon in Cyrus.
In times of crisis, Xenophon reminds himself to remain positive and optimistic. Likewise, Cyrus reminds himself of the greater prize he seeks. Neither Xenophon nor Cyrus the Great let the flame of hope be extinguished.
Guard against false hope—In The Education of Cyrus, as Cyrus travels to meet with those who will join his army, he has a conversation with his father. After his father emphasizes the importance of soldiers being enthusiastic, Cyrus says, “‘… as for instilling soldiers with enthusiasm, it seems to me that nothing is more effective than being able to fill human beings with hopes.’”[i] His father quickly advises Cyrus to avoid spreading false hope. False hope can prove devastating, driving genuine hope from followers. Making false promises in an attempt to instill hope in followers can destroy trust in a leader. In The Expedition and The Education, Xenophon emphasizes the importance of being truthful.
Have a reputation for being prudent—In his conversation with his father, Cyrus raises the subject of the obedience of soldiers. After summarizing how he was raised by his father and teachers to be obedient, he says, “‘As for enforcing obedience, I hope I have had some training in that already; you began my education yourself when I was a child by teaching me to obey you, and then you handed me over to masters who did as you had done, and afterwards, when we were lads, my fellows and myself, there was nothing on which the governors laid more stress. Our laws themselves, I think, enforce this double lesson:—’Rule thou and be thou ruled.’ And when I come to study the secret of it all, I seem to see that the real incentive to obedience lies in the praise and honor that it wins against the discredit and the chastisement which fall on the disobedient.’ ‘That, my son,’ said the father, ‘is the road to the obedience of compulsion. But there is a shorter way to a nobler goal, the obedience of the will. When the interests of mankind are at stake, they will obey with joy the man whom they believe to be wiser than themselves. . . . But if men think that obedience will lead them to disaster, then nothing, neither penalties, nor persuasion, nor gifts, will avail to rouse them. For no man accepts a bribe to his own destruction.’ ‘You would have me understand,’ said Cyrus, ‘that the best way to secure obedience is to be thought wiser than those we rule?’ ‘Yes,’ said Cambyses, ‘that is my belief.’
“‘And what is the quickest way,’ asked Cyrus, ‘to win that reputation?’
“‘None quicker, my lad, than this: wherever you wish to seem wise, be wise’”[ii]
Being wise means being prudent, vigilant, tactful, discrete, diligent, and conservative. Machiavelli must have missed this passage, because Cyrus’s father advises him to be wise, not just appear to be wise. He also says the path to wisdom is learning.
Four leadership lessons emerge from the exchange between Cyrus and his father:
- Being recognized as knowing what you are doing leads to people deferring to you. They realize they are better off having you lead, than they would be if they led.
- Demonstrating a leader’s care and concern for followers redounds to the benefit of the leader; it leads to increased trust, loyalty, and obedience toward the leader, as well as more loyalty among the followers.
- Recognizing the differences in what is necessary and what can be dealt with later is evidence of a person being wise. Being able to prioritize is an essential attribute for a successful leader.
- Cyrus the Great’s father tells Cyrus to be open, honest, and transparent because he will work as hard being open, honest, and transparent as he will pretending to be; if he doesn’t, when put to the test, he will be revealed as an imposter. Later in the conversation, we find: “‘You mean, father,’ … ‘that the ruler must also have more endurance against everything than do his subjects.’”[iii] Leaders must do more than followers. In addition to leading by example and not asking followers to do anything the leader is unwilling to do, the leader must be willing to be more patient, resilient, and persistent and to endure more hardship and criticism than followers.
Xenophon makes the case that leadership is not for the faint-of-heart. It’s not for the lazy, timid, or fearful. Leadership is hard work.
Next: Leadership ABCs—X (Part 6)
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[i] Xenophon: The Education of Cyrus, translated and annotated by Wayne Ambler, Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2001, p. 52.
[ii] https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2085/2085-h/2085-h.htm, Gutenberg’s Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus, Book I, Chapter 6.
[iii] Xenophon: The Education of Cyrus, p. 54.
