What can today’s businesses learn from the ancient Roman Legion? The Legions powered the growth of Rome from a few nomadic clans around northern Italy in the 8th century BC to the greatest military and economic empire in world history. The Roman army regularly had to compete against armies much larger and better resourced than theirs, often by large multiples. So, what specifically can contemporary organizations learn from the ancient Roman Legions?

2. What can today’s businesses learn
from the ancient Roman Legion?
The Legions powered the growth of Rome from a few nomadic
clans around northern Italy in the 8th century BC to the greatest
military and economic empire in world history.
The Roman army regularly had to compete against armies much
larger and better resourced than theirs, often by large multiples.
So, what specifically can contemporary organizations learn from
the ancient Roman Legions?
Adapted from “10 things that propelled Ancient Rome to Greatness that can help your business” by Brad Cherniak.

3. 1. Supreme confidence
The armies took in information voraciously, but took no
input on their core mission and beliefs.
As a small business owner, if your confidence can be shaken
with respect to what you are trying to accomplish, you have
probably already lost.

4. 2. Resilience in the face of battle
The armies of Rome had no conception of accepting a loss in
battle — they just hadn’t won yet. At the Battle of Cannae in
216 BC, the Romans lost roughly 10% of their male population in
a matter of hours — one of the gravest battle losses in history —
but persevered under new generalship to turn the tide against
Hannibal and win the war against the Carthaginians.
Organizations need to believe that victory is neither easy nor
without sacrifice but is inevitable.

5. 3. Smarter than everyone else, and still
outworked them by orders of magnitude
The Romans were tireless and ruthless trainers, planners
and organizers. The word “decimation” comes from the
Roman practice of eliminating (a euphemism) randomly one
in 10 men of an underperforming or undisciplined army.
Decimation seems more like a term used by a Butkus Award
recipient; however, demanding top performance from your
team is the modern lesson here.

6. 4. Discipline, focus and
discretion
Roman leaders were sometimes respected, but always
feared. Romans never tried to win popularity contests, nor
did they crave the attention, admiration or support of
others.

7. 5. Aggressively adaptive
The Romans were keen observers of others’ battlefield
innovations. They quickly adopted key elements, but made their
versions even better than those they copied. Rome became a
naval power by copying Carthaginian ships allowing them to
deploy land battle tactics on the high seas.
Business owners must drop the not invented here mentality, as
many have, and find ways to shorten their path to market by
using tools and technology already out there. The absolute
focus should be on the end result — the customer’s experience
— rather than the product.

8. 6. Fearlessness
The bigger the challenge, the harder the Romans
moved forward. As an leader, Caesar built the largest
bridge in history in days from materials at hand so his
army could cross the Rhine River to take the fight to the
Gauls in the Gallic Wars. Seemingly, no obstacle was
too great.

9. 7. Internally competitive
What motivated the Legion General was glory and strength
and the rewards they brought him. Often the biggest threat
was other Roman commanders. Far from distracting or
disabling the commanders - it empowered them. The same
holds true for great companies. The truth is despite the
sunny culture and posh offices - truly innovative companies
will foster the competition of ideas and the resources to
execute them.

10. 8. Positive feedback loop
Each of the above principles supported and strengthened the
others. There were few unproductive contradictions in Roman
thought and action. As a business manager, this applies to
everything from determining your mission, to deciding on the
breadth and depth of new strategic directions. Inconsistencies
will impede your progress in building value, and needlessly
consume resources. Arguably the ancient Roman Legion was the
most effective organization in human history- we forget their
lessons at our peril.

11. Want to improve your
leadership skills?
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