3. East Meets West (aristotle and
Confucius)
(College, 2018)
Aristotle and Confucius each constructed an ethical system based on virtue, with
Aristotle’s anticipated result being happiness and Confucius’s being harmony. For
Aristotle, happiness consisted of the search for truth. Confucius looked to create
a system that put an end to civil chaos. Although both systems relied on reason
and control to achieve their ends, Aristotle placed the locus of ethical behavior
on individuals, but he held that a moral upbringing and good political governance
also contributed to the formation of moral character. Confucius saw this locus in
the family, which provided the basic pattern of relationships for personal and
professional life. Reason prevailed throughout, as in the cultivation of a more just
and humane person.
In a business context, reason and control bear directly on management,
leadership, and corporate culture. They constitute a way of cultivating individual
virtue and corporate ethos such that the two go hand in hand. The environment
or culture of an organization needs individuals of character who can follow their
conscience and experience moral conversion. We might envision the emergence
of universal values like reason and control that nurture both the individual and
the organization. (College, 2018)
4. Julius Cesar
Born: July 100 BC, Suburra, Italy
Assassinated: March 15, 44
BC, Curia of Pompey
Spouse: Cornelia (m. 83 BC–68
BC), Pompeia (m. 68 BC–62
BC), Calpurnia (m. 59 BC–44 BC)
Children: Augustus, Caesarion, Julia
Caesaris
Place of burial: Temple of Divus
Julius, Rome, Italy
Parents: Aurelia, Gaius Julius
Caesar
Full name: Gaius Julius Caesar
(Wikipedia Contributors, 2019)
5. What Julius Caesar Teaches Us About Business
The great Roman dictator (100-44BC) was a master at war and statecraft,
but many other disciplines too. There are lessons we can learn from his life
and even apply in a business environment today; namely, goal setting, speed,
clarity of thought, restlessness and magnanimity.
Caesar was a renowned leader of men. Fighting all over the ancient world,
often against impossible odds, he led his troops to victory from Britain to
Egypt, Spain to Turkey. As both a commander and statesman, Caesar is a
model of how to get the best from your resources. Caesar used to confound
and wrong-step his opponents all the time. (What Julius Caesar Teaches Us about
Business, n.d.)
So, what lessons can a long-dead, calculated military leader and brash
dictator teach a chief executive competing in an economy that sometimes
plays out like a Hunger Games nightmare? A lot, actually.
Julius Caesar knew a thing or two about utilizing unorthodox ideas. He was a
master of bold, elaborate strategies to overcome the odds. Caesar was
singularly focused on success and architected everything to achieve it. (Curtis,
2019)
6. Let’s examine some of his
traits.
Goal Setting
“I’d rather be first in a village than second in Rome.”
Caesar was intensely ambitious. Every move he took,
every stratagem he followed, every public utterance,
display or withdrawal of friendship, was calculated
towards achieving his goal. Events never shook him;
reverses only inspired him to try harder. Faced with
Cicero, Pompey, Cato, Vercingetorix and a host of
others, Caesar single-mindedly pursued his goal.
Modern Application: Have a plan and follow it. Set your
aims high and work in increments to get there. Share
your goal with others. Bring them on board. Enjoy the
journey! (What Julius Caesar Teaches Us about
Business, n.d.)
7. Speed
“I came; I saw; I conquered.” (Attributed to Caesar after
the Battle of Zela)
Caesar shared with Napoleon an ability to do things
quickly. Whilst always preparing, he was flexible
enough to throw away the rulebook when it suited him
in order to gain surprise. The invasion of Britain was
carefully planned, as Caesar didn’t know the terrain.
Conversely, his crossing of the Adriatic chasing
Pompey, in wintertime and through an enemy blockade,
is an example of a successful calculated risk.
Modern Application: Speed to market, the ability to
react quickly and avoid procrastination is key. Always
prepare as much as possible but don’t let preparedness
be a substitute for action. (What Julius Caesar Teaches Us about Business,
n.d.)
8. Clarity of Thought
“The die is cast.” (On Crossing the Rubicon and
starting the Civil War)
A student of the human condition, we are lucky to have
Caesar’s thoughts laid out for us in the
commentaries The Gallic War and The Civil War. What
comes across with admirable clarity and succinctness,
is a man who understands others but, most crucially,
himself. Presented with a problem, Caesar had the
ability to sum up the essence of the situation and act
accordingly; quickly and with determination.
Modern Application: Focus on the essence of a role.
What is it that drives most value to the customers, your
shareholders, and your boss? Do it and do it well. Know
your purpose and excel at it. (What Julius Caesar Teaches Us about
Business, n.d.)
9. Restlessness
“It is better to create than learn. Creating is the
essence of life!”
Caesar was possessed with a demonic energy, an
inquiring mind and the ability to turn his hand to many
things. His reforms of the Roman calendar led to the
creation of The Julian Calendar with the year divided
into twelve months, the year into 365.25 days and a
leap day in February every four years. We use a variant
today. Land and debt reform, laws, civic architecture;
he couldn’t see a problem without solving it.
Modern Application: Don’t live in a silo. Challenge
yourself to try new things, new experiences, read widely
and push the boundaries externally and, crucially,
internally. Be the best version of yourself you can. (What
Julius Caesar Teaches Us about Business, n.d.)
10. Magnanimity
Caesar was well known for his mercy - based on the
standards of the ancient world. He pardoned opponents
who, had the positions been reversed, would have
killed him. Repeatedly he showed mercy when usual
practice was to show none. He saw the quality of
forgiveness as being much more powerful than a policy
of vengeance.
Modern Application: People work better when
appreciated, not when constantly reminded of their
faults. A manager who inspires their staff, let’s them
play to their strengths rather than focusing on
weaknesses, is a necessary building block for a high
performing team. As is satisfactory conflict resolution
(no putting to the sword at annual appraisal time!). (What
Julius Caesar Teaches Us about Business, n.d.)
11. Humanity in the Age of Digital Connectivity and Big Data
In a business era defined by the volume, variety, and velocity of
data, not human emotion, we’ve lost touch with the important
context of human interaction. By blindly relying on last-click reports
that leave out this valuable context, we sell short ourselves, our
businesses, and our customers.
Caesar would never let that stand.
He was a master of meaningful connections throughout his
life. Whether living in close quarters with his troops or wining and
dining political friends and foes, Caesar understood the power of
human interactions and diplomacy.
Ever the populist, Caesar used social capital as a means to an
end. He understood the feelings of the average Roman citizen and
implemented reforms that were well-received among Romans.
Now, it’s important to underscore the critical need for objectivity
when approaching complex business situations. Learning the
proper business use of emotion is a tight-rope walk, not a sprint.
One must not rely too heavily on emotion, but temper personal bias
by embracing objectivity and using data to inform strategy.
Critics suggest Caesar became too comfortable with friends and
foes, failing to see the rebellion around him. This would be his
undoing. (Curtis, 2019)
12. References:
College, O. (2018). Comparing the Virtue Ethics of East and
West. Ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub.
https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/businessethicsopenstax/chapter/c
omparing-the-virtue-ethics-of-east-and-west/
Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, February 18). Julius Caesar. Wikipedia;
Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar
What Julius Caesar Teaches Us About Business. (n.d.). Www.linkedin.com.
Retrieved February 14, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-
julius-caesar-teaches-us-business-tim-robson/
https://cohereone.com/what-lessons-can-the-modern-ceo-learn-from-
julius-caesar/
