It can be hard for us to see sometimes how history relates to our own lives.
There don’t seem to be many similarities between the world today and the world that we read about in our history books.
Our ancestors faced different problems with different tools than we do today.
Still, one thing remains the same: people. For all that has changed in the world, human nature remains remarkably much like it always has been.
Whether you’re leading a nation, an army, or just a company, office, or team, some of the same principles apply.
Here are just a few of the lessons we can learn from the successes (and failures) of great leaders throughout history.
1. Julius Caesar: Understand How Your Subordinates Feel
Caesar was undoubtedly a great leader. His military victories made Rome one of the largest empires in history, and his political leadership made it one of the most prosperous.
Unfortunately, Caesar neglected to pay enough attention to those serving under him, namely the Senate. He constantly ignored the Senate’s wishes as he grabbed dictatorial power until even his friend Brutus was willing to kill him.
Corporate leaders today probably don’t risk assassination, but they can still be “sacked” like one of the armies that Caesar faced. Failure to listen to employees still has significant consequences.
If employees don’t feel like you’re listening to them or respecting their positions, they may choose to ignore your requests, go over your head to your boss, or even quit.
2. Winston Churchill: Words Have Power
It may be sacrilege to say in some circles, but in many respects, Winston Churchill was not that impressive a leader. He did not always have a great military mind, as evidenced by the disastrous Gallipoli invasion he planned in World War I.
His leadership on domestic issues was so poor at times that the citizens of the UK. voted him out of office as soon as World War II ended.
Still, when it counted the most, Churchill lead Great Britain to stand against the monolithic German war machine, due in no small part to Churchill’s inspiring rhetoric. Everyone predicted that a sustained bombing raid such as the German Blitz would totally demoralize a civilian population, but emboldened by Churchill’s words, the people of London carried on with the war effort.
There may not be a need for Churchill levels of rhetoric in the office, but well placed words of encouragement can do wonders for employee morale.
3. John F Kennedy: Maintain Your Flexibility
When US spy planes brought reports of nuclear missiles to the White House in 1962, many of JFK’s close advisors advocated for a full military invasion of Cuba. JFK held off on these plans, opting instead for a naval blockade and negotiations with Soviet leaders, all while planning for a possible invasion if these tactics failed.
In the end, the blockade worked, and the US was able to avoid nuclear war. Had JFK opted for military invasion right away, who knows what might have happened.
Be careful of those big decisions that commit you down a certain path. If an employee is causing trouble, look for other ways of resolving that issue before taking the permanent step of firing them. Don’t commit yourself to a strategic path without first evaluating all of the options available to you.
4. Prince William of Orange: Know When To Take Big Risks
Kennedy, as the leader of the most powerful country in the world, had the luxury of biding his time and exploring all his options. In the 16th century, Prince William had no such luxury as he led the Dutch rebellion against Spain, then the largest and most powerful empire in the world.
Faced with a massive army bearing down on his tiny country, Prince William took a drastic step: he pulled down several dikes and flooded a large portion of the Dutch countryside. The Spanish troops were bogged down, and the Dutch were able to dig in and win the war.
As a leader today, you have to be willing to recognize when you can’t best your competitors using your current strategy. If a larger competitor is beating you on price, you have to find a way to differentiate yourself, even if that means a radical change in strategy.
5. Alexander the Great: Have A Succession Plan
Alexander the Great built one of the largest empires in history in just a few short years, and it fell apart just as quickly. As soon as Alexander died, his generals carved up his empire into pieces.
Every leader wants to build something that lasts, and that means finding someone to take over once you step down. Failure to do so can mean the undoing of your life’s work in just a few short years.
It’s accurate to say that history repeats itself. But it’s just as accurate to say that history is filled with lessons that we can apply to our business as well as personal lives if we look closely and carefully enough. The above stories are truly helpful to business leaders, but history has no shortage of amazing leadership examples.
Other U.S. Presidents such as Abraham Lincoln, English monarchs like Queen Elizabeth I, or even African tribal leaders like Shaka Zulu displayed intelligence, patience, even brutality when they had to. If you become a student of history, what you learn will help as you apply the lessons to your work life.
John Boitnott is a journalist and digital consultant who has worked at TV, newspapers, radio and internet companies in the U.S. for 20 years. He's an advisor at StartupGrind and has written for NBC, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, USAToday, and VentureBeat, among others.