This series of articles seeks to examine the character attributes of highly successful leaders, regardless of their adherence to a strong faith or moral standard. In presenting these thoughts, Leadership Ministries is not agreeing with or advocating these traits or practices, but rather presents these as ideas for discussion and development in your own leadership journey.
Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), also known as Alejandro Magno, was king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. By the age of 30, he had created one of the largest empires in history. He was undefeated in battle and is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most successful military commanders to ever live. His tactics remain a significant subject of study in military academies worldwide.[1]
Alexander was taught by Aristotle, and so gained an interest in philosophy, medicine and scientific investigation. At age 16 he was left in charge of Macedonia during one of his father’s military campaigns. During this time, he defended Macedonia against several attackers and also went on to lead other military victories. When his father was assassinated in 336 BC, Alexander succeeded him as leader, already held in high regard by the army. At once he executed those responsible for his father’s murder and all other rivals that might oppose him. Thus, Alexander began a series of military campaigns that would mark him among the world’s most cunning and ruthless empire builders.[2]
Have a well-rounded team. Alexander set about to conquer the world, first east toward Babylon, then Persia, and then the Mediterranean and Egypt. His army was well trained and had horsemen, archers, and men trained with shields and javelins. They were remarkably well balanced and their enemies, often centered on one tactic or weapon, would fall easily to their unpredictable attacks. In addition, Alexander’s soldiers were accompanies by surveyors, engineers, architects, scientists, court officials and historians. From the moment Alexander decided to expand his empire, he marched in with complete preparation in all areas of both military and civilian affairs.
Be unsurpassed in execution. Alexander had an excellent information system which enabled him to see his opponent’s direction and coordinate all parts of his military attacks. No other leader before him had ever used speed and surprise with such devastating results. He valued the statement, “One is either quick or one is dead.” Though Alexander was quick, he was also ruthless. When Thebes revolted early in his reign, he slaughtered more than 30,000 inhabitants and leveled the city.
Alexander’s father taught him a military formation called the phalanx. This consisted of a block of soldiers 16 men wide and 16 men deep, with interlocking shields and spears, moving as a unit. The men carried very long spears which protruded up to five layers deep ahead of the formation, allowing them to steamroll any opponent. On level ground, the phalanx was unbeatable, and remained one of the most powerful military tactics for centuries. Alexander also had trained, professional soldiers who were well disciplined and drilled their execution to perfection.
Innovate wherever possible. Alexander employed battle strategies that consistently surprised numerically superior enemies. He maintained a practice of diplomacy first, inviting his adversaries to join him instead of fight, and so was often welcomed as a liberator instead of a conqueror. When taking over a city, he kept trusted officials in charge and respected local customs and religion, allowing him to maintain peace after battle.
Once at the battle of Tyre, a city accessible only by sea, Alexander thought of a blocade of naval landing, which would leave his forces vulnerable. Instead he innovated and bult a causeway over the straights and joined the city to the continent. That causeway remains to this day.
In the end, Alexander was defeated by his own army. Tired of battle, they insisted on returning to Greece. On the way back, Alexander died of fever in Babylon at age 33. Following his death, nobody had the charisma and leadership skills to rule his fast empire. Alexander had no succession plan and unlike his father, had not groomed anyone close to him for leadership.[3] All of the lands he had conquered had not been properly solidified after battle, and consequently were divided among his generals.
Aristotle (384-322 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, and the arts.
He was between eight and nine years old when he ascended to rule a kingdom. Reigning from 1332 to 1323 BC, King Tut became leader of ancient Egypt. A Pharaoh was a statesman, religious leader, military commander, administrator and steward of the land.
William Whiting Borden (1887-1913) was an American philanthropist, millionaire and Christian missionary. Borden surrendered his life to Christ as a child as a result of the witness of his mother. Borden wrote three phrases in his Bible that defined his life: “No reserves. No retreats. No regrets.”
Dietrick Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident. He was opposed to Hitler’s genocide of the Jews, and ran “underground seminaries” during the war. In 1943 he was imprisoned by the Gestapo. Bonhoeffer was executed in the spring of 1945.
Charlemagne (747-814) united the majority of Western and Central Europe during the Middle Ages. People call him the “Father of Europe,” and the Pope made him the first Holy Roman Emperor.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) was an English pastor of the New Park Street Chapel (later renamed Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He became known as the “Prince of Preachers” for his spellbinding sermons, which sometimes ran two hours or more.
James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. (1924 - ) is an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th President of the United States. Though many believe his presidency a failure, his post-Oval Office years have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-373) was an early Christian bishop from the city of Myra in Asia Minor during the time of the Roman Empire. That he loved children and was tremendously generous is widely accepted, and gave rise to the modern day tales of Santa Claus.
Nicholas Lou Saban, Jr. is an American football coach, most known for his 17 years as Head Coach at the University of Alabama. He is widely considered one of the greatest college coaches of all time.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) was a German composer and pianist. He is among the most admired classical composers in history, and the melodies of his great symphonies and sonatas are recognized around the world.
Elvis Aaron Presley (1935 – 1977) was known as the “King of Rock and Roll”. He began his music career in 1954, and over the next 30 years would sell 300 million albums, make 33 movies, and become one of the most well-known and celebrated artists in history.
Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee (1955-) is an English computer scientist, professorial research fellow at the University of Oxford and a professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is widely credited as the inventor of the World Wide Web.
Howard D. Schultz is an American businessman and author. He served as Chairman and CEO of Starbucks from 1986 to 2000, and again from 2008 to 2017, and in 2022-2023. He was named one of the World’s Richest People by Forbes with a net worth in 2020 of $4.3 billion.
Socrates (470-399 BC) was a Greek philosopher credited with founding Western philosophy and the first among moral philosophers and the ethical tradition of thought. Socrates did not author any texts, and what is known of him is through accounts of other classical writers.
Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881 –1973) was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist and theatre designer. Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent throughout his life and is considered the father of modern art.
Neil Armstrong (1930 –2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the moon in 1969. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1554) was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance. He is known for his striking masterpieces, including the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the statue of David.
Historians consider Ramesses II (1303-1213 BC) the greatest and most powerful Pharaoh of Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom period. He lived to be at least 90 and ruled for more than 65 years. During his reign, the Egyptian army is estimated to have totaled some 100,000 men.
Nicola Tesla (1856 – 1943) was an eccentric inventor. Tesla is the inventor of alternating current electricity, radar, x-ray photography, wireless communication, and solar power. His AC power is still the world standard for electricity to this day.
Sir Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur and business magnate. He is the founder of Virgin Group, which is a cadre of more than 400 companies including an airline, cruise line, retail empire and space tourism concern.
John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States until his assassination at the end of his third year in office. He was the youngest person to be elected President and served during the height of the Cold War.
Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC) was a Roman general and stateman who rose to become dictator of Rome. Today Caesar is still considered one of the greatest military commanders to have ever lived.
William Franklin Graham Jr. (1918 – 2018) was an American evangelist and ordained minister who became internationally well known in the 1940s, and preached the Gospel to millions.
George Washington (1732 – 1799) was an American military officer, stateman and first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797.
Inventor Thomas Edison (1847-1931) established many of the technologies of our modern world, including electric power, the light bulb, mass communication, batteries, and motion pictures.
Known as the “Apostle of Ireland”, Saint Patrick is the primary patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick’s Day is observed on March 17, the supposed day of his death.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III (1951 - ) is a retired fighter pilot and commercial airline pilot, best known as Captain of crashed US Airways Flight 1549, the “Miracle on the Hudson”. Sullenberger landed in the Hudson River in New York, saving the lives of all 155 people on board.
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was the sixteenth President of the United States. He held office during the Civil War. He is considered by many to be America’s greatest President.
Jeff Bezos is an entrepreneur, investor, computer engineer, media mogul and commercial astronaut. He is the founder and executive Chairman of Amazon.
Ronald Martin Popeil (1935-2021) was an American inventor and marketing personality. His TV infomercials became an overnight staple, and earned him more than $2 billion in sales during his 40-year run. His coined the marketing catchphrase “But wait… there’s more!”