Profiles in Leadership: from Caesar to Modern Times

Many violent events in history occurred despite the best advice and the best intentions of political, religious and economic experts of the time. The words that often rang out were that a general war or global economic upheaval could not happen because capable leadership, sound business logic and forces of common sense would keep minds cool and temper the actions of even the most radical of regimes. Calamities of the past could not be repeated. Skillful leaders would avoid it. This thinking, for instance, was reflected in the editorials and mindsets of those who led the major nations of the world into a global abyss that would dwarf any other previous human tragedy. It was all about leadership. Leaders failed to learn from what took place in earlier periods. They believed they had little in common with challenges faced by others in another age. There was little the "sleeping giants" of history could teach them. Modern leaders felt the secrets of the Caesars, Napoleons and Lincolns as to how to lead had little relevance for today. Their lessons were buried with them. They were wrong. We have much to learn. If we do not, we will replicate history in all its tragedy and misery. People repeat the past. Leaders duplicate the errors of those who came before them, if they do not discover their secrets and lessons of leadership and apply them to their daily life. This work is about individuals who faced incredible tests. They demonstrated leadership and life skills as useful today as they were when confronted with the perils of wars, civil strife, natural disasters and economic and social upheavals.