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Xenophon |
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Leadership Teachings |
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Xenophon (431 – 350 BC)
was a Greek military commander and an author
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A
Leader should show
humanity, a basic
empathy with people. Rejoice
with others when any good befalls them, and sympathize when ills
overtake them, as they can us all. Give practical help to individual
team members in any kind of need
where you can do so.
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A
leader inspires others by encouraging them in times of
difficulty or challenge, expressing confidence in them and their
ability to surmount the hurdles before them. |
Xenophon |
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A leader reminds people of why they
are working and striving – for self, family and comrades certainly,
but for that which transcends self. |
Xenophon |
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Above all, a leader is there – at the
right time and place. Never underestimate the positive influence
that your very presence can exert in a situation. |
Xenophon |
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The Very First Systematic Book on
Leadership
Xenophon, a Greek commander and a friend of
Socrates, authored the first systematic book on
leadership, two thousand years ago, and it is still one of the best. Xenophon's book
the Persian Expedition
tells the story of
the fight to return to the Black Sea against overwhelming odds. Xenophon, like
all Greek commanders, led from the front; he was seen in the thick of combat,
never flinching, always seeming to do the right thing. His book is a story of
courage, improvisation, and discipline, self-sacrifice, and above all
leadership. Xenophon practiced leadership in a different time and a different
place, but the lessons of his experiences, the principles or laws of
integrity,
commitment, duty and the others have eternal value. |
Strategic
Leadership Lessons
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Authority flows to the one who
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knows: a
leader
must be technically and professionally competent in his field. You must know your
business. This is the necessary condition for winning respect and
trust. |
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A leader
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inspires others
 by encouraging
them in times of difficulty or challenge, expressing confidence in them
and their ability to surmount the hurdles before them. You can lift
people's spirits with a word of encouragement and support. |
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A leader has to be firm and just in maintaining necessary order. Without
a certain toughness in this regard you will not win the respect of the
group as a whole. |
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A
Leader should show humanity, a basic
empathy with people. Give practical help to individual
team members in any kind of need
where you can do so. |
Xenophon |
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There is a small risk a
leader will be regarded
with contempt
by those he leads if, whatever he may have to
preach,
he shows himself best able to perform. |
Xenophon |
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