Last week, overtaken by a nostalgia for The Peloponnesian War (who is not, from time to time), I re-picked up Steven Pressfield's Tides of War, which is a fictional history of the war as seen through the life of the Athenian Alcibiades. Pressfield, if you have not read him, is an amazing author - his Gates of Fire, which is a fictional account of the Battle of Thermopylae, may be the best historical fiction I have ever read.
In re-reading him, I was re-confronted with a number of quotes, really about leadership and the state. They are presented in no particular order - given the last time I read the book (2-3 years ago) and the current state of the world, they seem even more poignant in some cases.
"Men hate nothing worse than that mirror held before them whose reflection displays their own failure to prove worthy of themselves."
"The man of the land," Grandfather rejoined, "is in the business of peace, he of the city in the service of war."
"A commander's role is to model arete, excellence, before his men. One need not thrash them to greatness; only hold it out before them. They will be compelled by their own nature to emulate it."
"Man's predicament is that he dwells as the intersection of Necessity and free will."
"Always assign a man more than he believes himself capable of. Make him rise to the occasion. In this way you compel him to discover fresh resources, both in himself and others of his command, thus enlarging the capacity of each, while binding all beneath the exigencies of risk and glory."
"As we seek to make our enemies own their defeat at our hands, so we must make our friends own their victories. The less you give a man, and have him succeed, the more he draws his achievement to his heart. Remember we may elevate the (Athenian) fleet in two ways only. By acquiring better men or making those we have better. Even were the former practicable, I would disdain it, for a hired man may hire out to another master but a man who makes himself master stays loyal forever."
"The prophet perceive truth, Pericles, but the politician brings it into manifestation, for his countrymen and often in the face of their bitter opposition."
"How lead free men? Only by this means: the summoning of each to his nobility."
I'll have to add Pressfield to my to-read list. Historical fiction is my favorite kind of fiction (except, perhaps, truly good science fiction.) I'm a slow reader though, usually only have time for a couple of pages a day. I'm still on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon series (6th book and enjoying it very much).
ReplyDeleteLeigh, he is an amazing author and well worth the read. That said (full disclosure): He probably very accurately reflects the speech and thing of soldiers at the time (perhaps throughout history). Nothing too awful, but occasional impolite language.
DeleteQuite the good parts you picked to post, TB. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLinda, he is a skilled writer. My job was easy.
Delete"Always assign a man more than he believes himself capable of. Make him rise to the occasion. In this way you compel him to discover fresh resources, both in himself and others of his command, thus enlarging the capacity of each, while binding all beneath the exigencies of risk and glory."
ReplyDeleteMy best manager saw something in me, and did this exact thing. It was exhilarating to achieve things under his leadership. The next manager didn't push much, and the one after actively worked to prevent excellence in his team.
I have attempted to pass on my skill set to some in our team. One man and I were able to push each other toward excellence. One said, "why should I learn to do that, you can do it better." Short sight and lack of.. what... noble nature? Not sure. Maybe he was more on the side of free will than necessity.
I've found that of a 100, you are lucky to find 1 that will do what is required, and attempt to do better than is required. In the current generation of worker is their early to mid-20's it's probably 1000:1.
STxAR, my Sensei and my Soke have both related that at one point in their martial arts "careers", they had a peer that pushed them to do better. Interestingly, in both cases the peer eventually stopped participating and they continued on.
DeleteIt can backfire, of course. I have had managers who have pushed too much, to the point that I collapsed - but that was more due to volume of work rather than a failure of skill.
But asking a little more of people than they think they can do is not a bad thing.