Alexander knew how to encourage his soldiers to excel in battle and thus achieve even more.
Alexander the great, an outstanding military figure and statesman in the ancient history of the world, the first of the four major military commanders in Western history. Alexander studied under the ancient Greek scholar Aristotle. At the age of 16 his father ruled Macedonia. From 334 BC, he led an army to invade the east, successively destroying the Persian Empire army at the Battle of granicus, the Battle of Issus and the Battle of Gaugamela, sweeping through Asia Minor, the Middle East and the Iranian plateau, occupying all of Egypt without a single soldier, and annexing the Persian Empire in 330 BC. By 324 BC, Alexander had conquered about 5 million square kilometers of territory in 13 years, establishing a large empire from Greece and Macedonia in the west, to the Indus Valley in the east, to the first waterfall of the Nile in the south, and to the Syr Darya River in the north, making Macedonia the largest country in the world at that time. He had a major impact on the progress of human society and culture, and he himself became one of the most influential figures in human history.
Alexander the Great was a visionary, team builder, mentor who showed us some timeless leadership experience, but also some glaring failures.
Although the "great man" theory of leadership is a fragment of history, its charm remains puzzling. The theory is based on the assumption that:
If the right person appears, he will almost magically control the situation and lead a group of people to success. While such leaders are rare, sometimes a unique person will emerge from the crowd and become a model for leaders.
Alexander the Great was one such man; he was one of the most famous warriors in history, an almost sacred legend in his own lifetime. He belonged to an elite class that changed the history of civilization and shaped the world as we know it today.
From a leadership perspective, it's not hard to argue that Alexander didn't have peers. He can be magnanimous to defeated enemies and extremely loyal to his friends. As a general, he led by example and charged the battlefield.
Alexander's reign illustrates some important leadership experiences that still make sense for today's business and political leaders:
01
Have a compelling vision
Alexander's actions show what extraordinary things can be achieved when a person is fully focused—when he has a clear vision and a "great obsession."
Through dramatic gestures and superb rhetorical skill, Alexander expressed the collective imagination of his people, winning the promise of his followers.
02
Unparalleled execution
Not only did Alexander have a compelling vision, he also knew how to turn that vision into reality. By maintaining an excellent information system, he was able to decipher the motives of his opponents and was a master at coordinating all parts of his military machine.
No military leader had used speed and surprised so skillfully before him. He was well aware of the true value of the phrase "go fast or die."
03
Create a well-rounded management team
Alexander also knew how to build a loyal team around him and operate in a way that would allow his commanders to play to each other's strengths.
04
Do what you say
Alexander set an outstanding example in his leadership style; he actually led his troops on the front lines.
He was also hungry and thirsty when his troops were hungry or thirsty; and so was he when the warriors' horses died under them and they had to walk. It was only when he succumbed to the luxuries of Persian court life that this accessibility changed.
05
Encourage innovation
Alexander realized the competitive advantage of strategic innovation. Thanks to his flexible deployment of the army, his support and reliance on the creativity of his team of engineers, and his own logistical acumen, his war machine was state-of-the-art at the time.
06
Cultivate a sense of group identity
Alexander created a very shrewd propaganda machine to attract his subordinates. His oratory skills, based on the simple language of the soldiers, were hypnotic to all who heard him. He makes extensive use of powerful cultural symbols, evoking strong emotions.
These "meaning management" operations, combined with his ability to lead by example, fostered a strong sense of group identity in his troops and inspired his soldiers to make extraordinary efforts.
07
Encourage and support followers
He often singled out those who needed special attention and recalled the heroic deeds of heroes who had been and sacrificed, making it clear that individual contributions would be recognized. He also has the ability to become a "vessel" of people's emotions by listening compassionately.
08
Invest in talent management
Alexander was a visionary who spent a great deal of resources on training and development. He not only trains today's troops, but also looks to the future and trains the next generation.
09
Consolidate gains
Paradoxically, Alexander's three most valuable lessons were taught not through his strengths, but through his weaknesses. The first is the need to consolidate gains. Alexander failed to establish the right control system to integrate his empire, so he never really tasted his results. Conquest may be rewarded handsomely, but a leader who cannot ensure the stability of his own interests is doomed to lose everything.
10
Heir Plan
Another lesson learned from Alexander's negligence is the need for a workable succession plan; He was so focused on his role as king and aspiring god that he couldn't allow himself to think about his future after death. As a result, this vast empire fell apart after his death.
11
Establish organizational management mechanisms
The final lesson illustrated by Alexander's case is that the power of checks and balances is crucial. Leaders have a responsibility to establish appropriate organizational management mechanisms and use checks and balances to prevent miscalculation and abuse of power.
Alexander began his reign as an enlightened ruler, encouraging the participation of his "colleagues"—loyal soldiers from Macedonian aristocratic families. But like many rulers before him, he became obsessed with power, and over time, arrogant attitudes began to spread, and Alexander's behavior became increasingly arbitrary and conceited. He couldn't stand anything but the applause from the audience, so everyone around him swallowed. Thus, he was detached from reality, which was another factor that led to his inability to consolidate the empire.