Facing a Leadership Challenge?
Ask Yourself: What Would Marcus do?
Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that’s less about statues and more about mental fortitude, seems to be having a comeback tour in the boardrooms and Slack channels of modern enterprise. What could possibly be drawing today’s leaders to a school of thought as old as the crumbled ruins of the Roman Forum? It turns out, the Stoics were onto something timeless — something even the slickest Silicon Valley spin can’t outdo: the unglamorous art of keeping your cool.
1. Control is Overrated, Except For What’s Under Your Hat
Marcus Aurelius, a man who ran an empire that stretched from the Middle East to Scotland, knew a thing or two about the burdens of leadership. He penned (or rather, papyrus-ed) the wisdom that you should focus on the things within your power. His modern-day translation? Stop trying to micromanage the universe. The Stoic leader today focuses on their reactions, their decisions, and their mindset, not the 405 freeway traffic at 5 PM.
The first leadership lesson from Stoicism is about investing your energy wisely. In a world where control is often equated with power, Stoicism presents a paradox: true power lies in restraint and focus. For leaders, this means letting go of the illusion that you can pilot the winds, but you can absolutely adjust your sails.
2. The Obstacle is the Way: Turning Barriers into Launchpads
Ryan Holiday didn’t just sell a bunch of books with a catchy title; he resurrected a Stoic principle that’s been helping the over-burdened executive sleep at night. When faced with a challenge, the Stoic leader asks, “What can this teach me?” rather than, “Why me?” It’s about viewing hurdles as necessary educators, not inconvenient pests.
Imagine a tech glitch that wipes out your morning’s work. The Stoic in you might see this as a prompt to initiate better backup systems or to practice the fine art of not throwing your laptop out the window. Every setback is re-framed as an opportunity. This mindset can transform cultures, turning entire organizations from fragile to agile.
3. Ego is the Enemy of Good Decisions
If Marcus Aurelius was the CEO of Rome, then Epictetus was his Chief Philosophy Officer. He famously said that it’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters. This is the bedrock of anti-fragility in leadership. Today’s leaders must navigate ego the way they navigate their LinkedIn notifications — with careful scrutiny and a healthy dose of skepticism.
A Stoic leader checks their ego at the door and understands that good ideas can come from anywhere, whether from the intern or the board member. This humility fosters an environment where meritocracy flourishes and where the best ideas win, not just the loudest. Remember, in the quietest voices, there may lie the next billion-dollar idea.
4. Virtue as a Performance Metric
The Stoics were big on virtue — not in a preachy way, but in a hardcore, ethical performance metric kind of way. What if modern leaders measured success not just by quarterly earnings, but by the integrity, fairness, and wisdom displayed in achieving them? This shift could redefine corporate culture, emphasizing that how you get results is just as important as the results themselves.
Imagine a business landscape where companies brag about their ethical achievements with the same enthusiasm they reserve for their market share stats. Leadership would mean creating value that’s not just measured in dollars, but in contributions to societal well-being. This is the Stoic’s version of a triple bottom line.
5. Resilience: The Art of Business Jiu-Jitsu
Lastly, Stoicism teaches resilience, not through a “grin and bear it” attitude but through a profound understanding of reality’s impermanence. Leaders are often faced with the pressure of seeming infallible. Stoicism allows leaders to embrace vulnerability, viewing it not as a weakness but as a strategic pivot.
This resilience is akin to business jiu-jitsu: using adversarial forces to your advantage. It’s about adaptive leadership where the response to change is not rigidity but flexibility. When market conditions flip, the Stoic leader pivots without panic, seeing change as a dance rather than a duel.
The Stoic CEO
So, what can modern leaders learn from an ancient philosophy that seems at odds with the fast-paced, tech-driven world of today? Perhaps it is that wisdom doesn’t scream across a crowded stock exchange; it whispers in the deliberate pause before a difficult decision, in the calm demeanor in the face of chaos, and in the choice to prioritize long-term value over short-term gains.
As we navigate the complexities of modern leadership, the Stoics stand as timeless mentors, reminding us that the essence of effective leadership isn’t about how many followers you have, but about how well you lead yourself in the face of uncertainty. So next time you’re facing a leadership challenge, ask yourself: What would Marcus do?
Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Medium, I’m writing the proverbial (no surprise here) sequel to Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter.
