Leadership Lessons from the Ancient World: How Learning from the Past Can Win You the Future

Introduction.

1. Courage: the daring of Ramesses II at Kadesh.

2. Risk taking: Thutmose III’s handling of his forces.

3. The ability to motivate: the military revolution of Wuling.

4. Creating a compelling vision: the commoner emperor Liu Bang.

5. Developing people: the Han emperor Wu Di’s approach.

6. Focusing on results: the strategy of Themistocles.

7. Integrity: the political supremacy of Pericles.

8. Taking decisive action: the critical decisions of Epaminondas.

9. Influencing people: Alexander’s multi-ethnic kingdom.

10. Leaving a legacy: the abdication of Candragupta.

11. Representing the business: Hannibal’s invasion of Italy.

12. Creativity: the resourcefulness of Zhu Geliang.

13. Learning: Li Shimin and Wei Zheng.

14. Change: Sulla’s constitutional reforms.

15. Networking: Cicero’s efforts to find allies.

16. Dealing with conflict: the policies of Vespasian.

17. Empowerment: Diocletian’s imperial reforms.

18. Recognising achievement: the triumph of Belisarius.

19. Leadership gambles: shifting the odds in your favour.

Suggestions for further reading.

Index.