The Daily Stoic – How Do You Know If You’re A Good Leader? | What Marcus Aurelius Learned from His Father About Being a Good Man

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic,” the focus is on leadership and what it means to be a good leader. Drawing from the teachings of Marcus Aurelius and his father, the episode explores the essence of leadership, the Stoic test for being a good leader, and the values and qualities that make a leader great. Listeners are also introduced to “The Daily Stoic Leadership Challenge” as a recommended resource for leadership development.

Main Takeaways

The Essence of Being a Great Leader

• The essence of being a great leader is making people better.
• The Stoic test for being a good leader is “do you make people better?”
• The job of the Stoic is to make the lives of others better.

Values and Qualities of Marcus Aurelius’ Father

• Marcus Aurelius learned from his father the importance of compassion, hard work, persistence, and treating people as they deserved.
• His father, Antoninus, was known for his rationality, steadiness, reverence, calmness, gentleness, modesty, and hard work.
• Antoninus was known for his constancy and reliability as a friend.
• He was tolerant of people who openly questioned his views and was delighted to see his ideas improved on.
• Antoninus was pious without superstition, ensuring a clear conscience when one’s time comes.

Approach to Leadership

• Marcus Aurelius approached everything logically and with due consideration, but decisively and with no loose ends.
• He respected philosophy and experts in various fields, supporting them to fulfill their potential.
• He was devoted to the empire’s needs and took responsibility and blame for both successes and failures.

Recommended Resource for Leadership Development

• The Daily Stoic Leadership Challenge is a recommended resource for leadership development.

Summary

The Essence of Being a Great Leader

Being a great leader goes beyond authority and power. It is about making people better and improving their lives. The Stoic test for being a good leader is whether or not you make people better. This requires a focus on the well-being and growth of others, not just oneself.

Values and Qualities of Marcus Aurelius’ Father

Marcus Aurelius learned important values from his father, Antoninus. Compassion, hard work, persistence, and treating people as they deserved were among the qualities instilled in him. Antoninus was known for his rationality, steadiness, reverence, calmness, gentleness, modesty, and hard work. He was also a reliable friend, open to questioning and improvement of his ideas.

Approach to Leadership

Marcus Aurelius approached leadership with a logical and considerate mindset. He valued philosophy and supported experts in various fields to reach their potential. He took responsibility and blame for both successes and failures, showing his dedication to the needs of the empire.

Recommended Resource for Leadership Development

The Daily Stoic Leadership Challenge is a valuable resource for those seeking to develop their leadership skills. It provides guidance and exercises rooted in Stoic principles, helping individuals cultivate the qualities necessary for effective leadership.

Conclusion

Being a good leader requires a focus on making people better and improving their lives. Marcus Aurelius learned important lessons from his father about compassion, hard work, persistence, and treating others with fairness. His approach to leadership, characterized by logical thinking, support for experts, and taking responsibility, serves as a valuable example. The Daily Stoic Leadership Challenge offers a practical resource for individuals looking to develop their leadership skills.