3 Leadership lessons from the Stoics

There is much debate about what makes a good leader, and I was curious about stoic leadership and what could be learned about leadership from the Stoics.

The Stoic Mindset is founded on mental toughness and level-headedness, both of which are required for leadership. The Stoics recognised that in order to be a leader of others, you must first be a leader of yourself, committed to character development.

What can be learned from ancient Stoic leaders, such as the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius about leadership?

A Stoic leader recognises that only her thoughts and feelings (referred to as “internals”) are under her control. Everything else is uncontrollable. The Stoics believed that taking charge of one’s mental state is powerful and allows one to deal with any situation in the best way possible. Epictetus, a Stoic teacher, stated:

The ancient Stoics were well aware of power’s ability to corrupt, and they worked on their egos and practised self-control. Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor, was aware that an egotistical leader is unlikely to think rationally and act for the common good, and he reminds himself repeatedly in the Meditations of the folly of being ensnared by power. Marcus Aurelius says:

Churchill’s words inspired a nation to persevere in the face of great adversity. Great leaders exhibit courage that is inspirational. The Stoics viewed courage as the discipline of enduring hardship and putting oneself at risk for the greater good. Socrates, a forefather of ancient Stoicism, chose death over betraying his principles. True bravery in leadership!

Although the characteristics of a great leader are debatable, most people would agree that the leadership of others begins with the leadership of oneself. “Man conquers the world by conquering himself,” Zeno says. This concept appears to have been central to the ancient Stoics’ way of life.

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