How to Be a Leader: An Ancient Guide to Wise Leadership (Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers)

Timeless advice on how to be a successful leader in any field The ancient biographer and essayist Plutarch thought deeply about the leadership qualities of the eminent Greeks and Romans he profiled in his famous―and massive― Lives , including politicians and generals such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Luckily for us, Plutarch distilled what he learned about wise leadership in a handful of essays, which are filled with essential lessons for experienced and aspiring leaders in any field today. In How to Be a Leader, Jeffrey Beneker presents the most important of these essays in lively new translations accompanied by an enlightening introduction, informative notes, and the original Greek on facing pages. In "To an Uneducated Leader," "How to Be a Good Leader," and "Should an Old Man Engage in Politics?" Plutarch explains the characteristics of successful leaders, from being guided by reason and exercising self-control to being free from envy and the love of power, illustrating his points with memorable examples drawn from legendary Greco-Roman lives. He also explains how to train for leadership, persuade and deal with colleagues, manage one's career, and much more. Writing at the height of the Roman Empire, Plutarch suggested that people should pursue positions of leadership only if they are motivated by "judgment and reason"―not "rashly inspired by the vain pursuit of glory, a sense of rivalry, or a lack of other meaningful activities." His wise counsel remains as relevant as ever. Le site de l'ed́iteur indique : "The philosopher, statesman, and moralist Plutarch of Chaeronia (first and early second centuries CE) begins his essay Political Advice, wherein he advises a man about how to embark upon a career in government and how to become an effective leader by saying: 'First of all, let the primary motivation for political activity be a conscious choice based on judgment and reason, which serves as a firm and strong foundation, and let the choice not be rashly inspired by the vain pursuit of glory, a sense of rivalry, or a lack of other meaningful activities.' In How to Lead, classicist Jeffrey Beneker translates three of Plutarch's political essays: To an Uneducated Leader, Political Advice, and The Role of the Elder Statesman. In these essays Plutarch seeks not only to advise these budding, practicing, and even aging politicians about the problems of governing their Greek cities under Roman rule, but also to educate them about general principles of leadership. Plutarch thought quite a lot about political leadership. The management of public affairs at all levels is one of the most important of human endeavors. It requires education, character, and commitment. He encourages those who desire to lead, and he gives advice based mainly on the experiences of great leaders of the past. These essays are timeless reflections on the proper way to lead and serve, publicly, at least with respect to the European and American political traditions. The essays emphasize the importance of personal integrity and friendships, how best to persuade one's fellow citizens, the dangers inherent in rivalry, and that the successful management of public affairs demands respect for the state's institutions, cooperation among politicians, and the subordination of one's own glory to the welfare of the state" "The philosopher, statesman, and moralist Plutarch of Chaeronia (first and early second centuries CE) begins his essay Political Advice, wherein he advises a man about how to embark upon a career in government and how to become an effective leader by saying: 'First of all, let the primary motivation for political activity be a conscious choice based on judgment and reason, which serves as a firm and strong foundation, and let the choice not be rashly inspired by the vain pursuit of glory, a sense of rivalry, or a lack of other meaningful activities.' In How to Lead, classicist Jeffrey Beneker translates three of Plutarch's political essays: To an Uneducated Leader, Political Advice, and The Role of the Elder Statesman. In these essays Plutarch seeks not only to advise these budding, practicing, and even aging politicians about the problems of governing their Greek cities under Roman rule, but also to educate them about general principles of leadership. Plutarch thought quite a lot about political leadership. The management of public affairs at all levels is one of the most important of human endeavors. It requires education, character, and commitment. He encourages those who desire to lead, and he gives advice based mainly on the experiences of great leaders of the past. These essays are timeless reflections on the proper way to lead and serve, publicly, at least with respect to the European and American political traditions. The essays emphasize the importance of personal integrity and friendships, how best to persuade one's fellow citizens, the dangers inherent in rivalry, and that the successful management of public affairs demands respect for the state's institutions, cooperation among politicians, and the subordination of one's own glory to the welfare of the state"-- Provided by publisher Timeless advice on how to be a successful leader in any field The ancient biographer and essayist Plutarch thought deeply about the leadership qualities of the eminent Greeks and Romans he profiled in his famous--and massive-- Lives , including politicians and generals such as Pericles, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. Luckily for us, Plutarch distilled what he learned about wise leadership in a handful of essays, which are filled with essential lessons for experienced and aspiring leaders in any field today. In How to Be a Leader, Jefferey Beneker presents the most important of these essays in lively new translations accompanied by an enlightening introduction, informative notes, and the original Greek on facing pages. In "To an Uneducated Leader," "How to Be a Good Leader," and "Should an Old Man Engage in Politics?" Plutarch explains the characteristics of successful leaders, from being guided by reason and exercising self-control to being free from envy and the love of power, illustrating his points with memorable examples drawn from legendary Greco-Roman lives. He also explains how to train for leadership, persuade and deal with colleagues, manage one's career, and much more. Writing at the height of the Roman Empire, Plutarch suggested that people should pursue positions of leadership only if they are motivated by "judgment and reason"--not "rashly inspired by the vain pursuit of glory, a sense of rivalry, or a lack of other meaningful activities." His wise counsel remains as relevant as ever. Cover 1 HOW TO BE A LEADER 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 CONTENTS 8 Introduction 10 Notes on the Translation and Greek Text 22 To an Uneducated Leader 28 How to Be a Good Leader 68 Should an Old Man Engage in Politics? 218 Important Persons and Terms 368 Notes 392