How to Be a Leader

Should a leader seek fame, or focus solely on the well-being of their community? Plutarch’s timeless wisdom challenges us to rethink the true purpose of leadership.

1. Leadership is a responsibility, not a tool for self-glory

Leadership attracts many, but motivations matter more than ambition. A leader must approach the position with a sense of duty, not an ego-driven quest for fame. Plutarch stresses that glory-hungry leaders often make reckless decisions, sacrificing the very communities they are meant to guide.

Roman politician Cato the Elder embodies this principle. When offered a statue in his honor, Cato declined, saying he'd rather citizens wonder why there wasn't a statue of him than question why there was. This humility framed his leadership as service rather than self-aggrandizement.

For Plutarch, true leadership requires balance between personal ambition and public welfare. Overzealous politicians ignite instability. But those motivated by honor and dedication promote rational and fair governance. A leader's focus should always center on the greater good, not personal gratification.

Examples

• Cato the Elder's rejection of public accolades prioritizing Rome's welfare over vanity.
• Politicians motivated by glory historically destabilizing societies.
• Plutarch's belief that honor-driven leadership fosters rational, long-term decisions.

2. Integrity forms the backbone of leadership

The public's gaze rarely spares leaders. Criticism isn’t just directed at policies but trickles into personal lives as well. To withstand this scrutiny, a leader must lead a life free from reproach—and this begins with impeccable character.

Pericles, the Athenian statesman, exemplified unshakable dignity. Whether walking only to public forums or speaking with calm conviction, his every action exuded dedication. In contrast stood Alcibiades, a brilliant leader but reckless in his personal conduct. His motives and character flaws cost him public trust and ultimately his home in Athens.

Plutarch underscores that decorum isn’t about appearances alone; it reflects purpose and reliability. Without spotless character, both personal credibility and political authority crumble under public disfavor.

Examples

• Pericles’ composed demeanor and limited personal indulgences solidifying trust.
• Alcibiades losing command and public favor due to self-destructive behavior.
• Athenian citizens historically favoring leaders with stable, virtuous reputations.

3. Wisdom and reason guide great leadership

Reason should be a leader’s compass. Plutarch equates reason with divine order, teaching that only rational governance fosters sustainable success. Without it, self-serving chaos replaces societal progress.

The stories of Aristodemus and Theopompus illustrate this principle vividly. Aristodemus ruled through paranoia, focused solely on self-preservation with secret entrances and constant fear of uprisings. Theopompus, by contrast, willingly shared power, securing long-term tranquility in Sparta.

Plutarch aligns leadership with a duty to conscience and collective welfare. Embracing wisdom ensures leaders prioritize community needs over personal fears or ambitions, promoting equity and collaboration.

Examples

• Aristodemus’ paranoid rule contrasting with rational governance.
• Theopompus sharing power, leading to a more stable Sparta.
• Reason as an antidote to self-centered, destructive leadership practices.

4. Persuasion is a leader’s sharpest tool

Command is one thing; convincing people to willingly follow is another. In democratic societies, like ancient Athens, the ability to articulate compelling arguments is essential for leadership.

Pericles was a master of persuasion. His eloquence kept Athens out of costly wars, steering his fellow citizens toward wealth and stability. Even in informal settings, he used rhetoric artfully, turning seemingly lost arguments in his favor. As Thucydides noted, Pericles’ charisma consistently swayed the public.

Niccias, while equally foresighted, lacked the same verbal prowess. When he failed to convince Athens against a Sicilian expedition, the resulting campaign ended in disaster. A leader’s words can unite or unravel entire communities depending on conviction and delivery.

Examples

• Pericles convincing Athens to choose caution over war.
• Niccias’ rhetorical shortcomings leading to a catastrophic Sicilian military campaign.
• The democratic need for skillful orators in societies driven by debate.

5. Older leaders offer stability and wisdom

Wisdom comes with age, making seasoned leaders uniquely suited to navigate crises. Youth may bring energy, but older leaders contribute perspective and a tempered approach to decision-making.

Aesop’s fable of the fox and ticks captures Plutarch’s view: replacing experienced leaders with novices often disrupts stability, introducing ambition-driven chaos. In moments of societal upheaval, cities historically called elders out of retirement to guide them.

Gray hair, per Plutarch, is a symbol of readiness to lead. Age tempers rash impulses, ensures thoughtful action, and aids in grooming the next generation. Experienced leaders are vital to a society’s continuity and evolution.

Examples

• Cities seeking retired elders’ help during crises.
• Aesop’s cautionary tale on replacing seasoned leaders too quickly.
• Older leaders leveraging experience to offer balanced, moderate decision-making.

6. Work keeps older leaders sharp and engaged

Instead of retreating into leisure in their later years, leaders should embrace work as fulfilling and purposeful. Leadership, much like practicing art or philosophy, remains a lifelong pursuit.

Plutarch admired Archimedes, whose passion for geometry was so relentless that his servants needed to drag him away from his work. Similarly, Roman leader Pompey viewed governing as a meaningful endeavor to extend into old age, rejecting a life of indulgence as shallow.

Engaged elders like Pompey and Archimedes demonstrate that work fuels satisfaction. Older leaders contribute distinctly, not by matching the pace of younger counterparts but by steadying the ship during challenges.

Examples

• Archimedes refusing to pause intellectual pursuits, even during bathing.
• Pompey continuing his public service instead of idling in retirement.
• Older leaders finding joy in the enduring practice of governance and problem-solving.

7. Reputation matters more than power

In leadership, a polished reputation can cultivate lasting influence. While power is fleeting, how one is remembered shapes legacies and fosters enduring trust.

Pericles’ careful conduct showcased this idea—his authority was rooted in respect. Meanwhile, leaders like Aristodemus lost allegiance by prioritizing dominance over esteem. Stability requires being trusted, not merely obeyed.

In Plutarch’s view, perceptions define how much goodwill leaders generate, even after their tenure. Reputation, shaped by deeds and fairness, sustains respect long after power dissipates.

Examples

• Pericles’ respect-driven authority fostering prolonged peace.
• Aristodemus undermining trust through self-centered rule.
• A leader’s memories eliciting loyalty over generations.

8. Communication defines a leader’s success

A leader must recognize the listener’s mindset while conveying their vision effectively. Words either inspire trust or dismantle it—communication is leadership’s make-or-break skill.

Thucydides recognized Pericles’ ability to adapt his speech. Whether in rallying Athens toward peace or deflecting counterarguments, his command over language bolstered unanimity. Niccias’ failure to sway Athens underscores how miscommunication breeds mishaps.

At its core, leadership thrives when articulation combines clarity and empathy. Respected communicators naturally lead consensus and resolve conflicts.

Examples

• Pericles adapting rhetoric to shift public opinion.
• Miscommunication during Niccias’ Sicilian campaign exacerbating tragedy.
• Articulation bridging divides among opposing factions.

9. A student of leadership must also mentor

Leaders aren’t just symbols of authority—they serve as educators for future generations. Without mentorship, successors falter, leaving institutions vulnerable.

Plutarch emphasizes learning leadership as one learns to sail—with the guidance of seasoned veterans. By passing down wisdom, older leaders ensure continuity and progress.

Training ensures leadership’s spirit remains purposeful. Mentorship benefits both the learner and the legacy left behind.

Examples

• Athenian elders preparing new leaders through firsthand guidance.
• Leadership as experiential learning akin to sailing.
• Generational wisdom anchoring societal stability.

Takeaways

1. Pursue leadership with a sense of purpose, not a craving for fame.
2. Cultivate your communication for clarity and persuasion.
3. Lead by example, and mentor others to uphold lasting legacies.