Leadership: Lessons from the Ancient World

by Arthur Cotterell, Roger Lowe, Ian Shaw

As the demand for comparative studies of leadership rises, managers and trainers are looking harder than ever for new studies to which trainees will not bring preconceived idea. This unique book delivers just that. Though the contexts have changed, the examination of ancient events from a business perspective provides a wealth of useful insights on how the process of leadership works. From China’s first emperor Liu Bang on vision and Pericles on integrity to Alexander the Great on communication and Ramesses II on courage, Leadership Lessons from the Ancient World combines history with business to show that the universal strategies used by great leaders of the past are still relevant today.

Genres: Leadership

352 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2006

About the author

Arthur Cotterell, former Principal of Kingston College in London, has spent many years combining senior educational management with historical research. He is the respected author of more than thirty books, and is now writing on the Chinese empire, from the history of which he considers one can learn as much about leadership as from Ashridge or Harvard.

Reviews

[Mukeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leadership: Lessons from the Ancient World by Arthur Cotterell offers a compelling exploration of leadership principles as demonstrated by rulers, generals, and thinkers from various ancient civilisations. Cotterell’s extensive background as a historian and author specialising in ancient cultures allows him to weave together a rich tapestry of historical narratives that reveal the enduring qualities and challenges of leadership. The book delves into the complexities faced by leaders from regions as diverse as the Near East, China, Greece, and Rome, providing readers with a broad and comparative perspective on how authority was exercised and maintained in different cultural contexts.

What makes Cotterell’s work particularly engaging is his ability to go beyond mere historical recounting. He examines the motivations, ethical dilemmas, and strategic decisions that shaped the successes and failures of these ancient figures. Through this lens, leadership emerges not just as a function of power but as a nuanced balance of wisdom, courage, and responsibility. The author’s clear and accessible prose invites readers to reflect on how these ancient lessons remain relevant in today’s organisational and political environments.

However, the book’s focus on prominent, often male, elite figures reflects the limitations of the historical record itself. While this may narrow the scope of perspectives, Cotterell’s comparative approach helps to highlight universal themes in leadership that transcend time and culture. His synthesis of myth, biography, and history enriches the narrative and encourages a deeper understanding of the qualities that define effective leadership. Cotterell’s expertise and engaging storytelling provide valuable insights for readers interested in the timeless nature of leadership and its evolving role throughout human history.

[Manoj Saha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book as it allows you to contrast leadership examples from the ancient world with that of modern era to which you belong.

"Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?…

[Haytham Badawey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are very boring, but the lessons about leadership are true and helpful.

The book is full of rant about random case studies, both old and new, but It's still kind of helpful.