Alexander the Great- What leadership lessons relevant today?

Perhaps the most read about soldier and leader in Europe.

I am wading my way through a thick tome on his life and at the back of mind thinking,

‘any lessons for the modern business leader’?

Here are his traits:

Alexander, lead from the front, didn’t order anybody to do what he could not do himself (he was one of the finest swordsmen and javelin throwers in the army).

Incredibly courageous (was wounded at least 10 times - in the thick of most of the fighting and with his distinctive plummed helmet an obvious target).

Bill Cole

Subordinates could say what they liked without fear (i.e freedom of speech). He took advice from his trusted followers (the Companions).

Had a vision and inculcated that vision down to the lowest soldier.

Cared about the personal needs of his men (sent newly married men back to Macedonia for 6 months)

Incredibly fit(could march for a day and a half).

Respected other cultures and ensured they were preserved (Once he conquered Persia the people accepted him).

Forgave his enemies and listened to their point of view. He was a consumate Diplomat and won the admiration and loyalty of those he conquered.

Took a few substantial risks which could have lost an army but knew the risks and minimized them by good planning.

Incredible planner and great foresight.

Had short and long term goals which he stuck to until achieved.

Never, never gave up. The harder it got, the harder he worked.

Hugely persuasive (when his men wanted to stop conquering and go home he persuaded them to go on).

If you look at what is required of a modern leader you can see just that Alexander could have easily run an multinational today. He had all these characteristics in abundance.

• Clever (intelligent)
• Conceptually skilled
• Creative
• Diplomatic and tactful
• Knowledgeable about group task
• Organised (administrative ability)
• Persuasive
• Socially skilledA
• Assertive
• Decisive
• Dominant (desire to influence others)
• Energetic (high activity level)
• Self-confident
• Tolerant of stress

On the downside, Alexander became obsessed with conquest and lost the support of his army. When not fighting, drank very heavily which caused inevitable clashes with his trusted companions.

He made the critical mistake as so many modern leaders do in that he lost touch with his followers and ignored their advice and needs which inevitably led to his untimely death.