In my opinion, a figure who best represents this theory is Alexander the Great, one of history’s most legendary conquerors. He lived during the mid 4th century BC and, in just 32 years, created one of the world’s largest empires—stretching from Greece and Egypt to northwest India. He was schooled by Aristotle, the renowned ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. Crowned king at the age of 20, Alexander was undefeated in battle and is widely considered one of the greatest and most successful military commanders to ever live. His military prowess and strategic genius remain subjects of study in military academies around the world.
The Leadership of Alexander the Great
From a leadership perspective, few compare to Alexander. Although not without his faults, he demonstrated essential leadership lessons that remain relevant today. Alexander was a visionary. He executed strategy flawlessly, surrounded himself with a talented and well-rounded team, encouraged innovation, prioritized organizational governance, and focused on development and succession. Time and again, he inspired and motivated his army to achieve the impossible. Remarkably, given the era, he emphasized diversity and inclusion as his empire expanded—qualities we continue to instill in leaders today.
One of Alexander’s leadership traits worth further examination is what best-selling business authors James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner call “Mod-eling the Way.”
Modeling the Way
What does it mean to Model the Way? It refers to the example a leader sets for others—embodying the leadership qualities most admired. It involves building team consensus, enforcing agreed-upon standards and principles, requesting feedback, and following through on commitments. Some might call this “walking the talk.”
A key requirement for being a great role model is having a clear leadership philosophy and a strong set of values to guide actions and decisions. Every leadership journey begins with self-awareness—knowing what you believe in, what you stand for, and what matters most. Leadership is easiest when things are going well. It’s during adversity that being a role model matters most. Remaining honest, competent, inspiring, and forward-looking when facing tough times is when it’s of the utmost importance. It means keeping your head while those around you are losing theirs.
Alexander as Role Model
Alexander exemplified “Modeling the Way” in many ways. He was a leader who literally led from the front, often at great personal risk. He never asked his men to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. His army trusted him implicitly and literally followed him to the ends of the earth.
Alexander fostered organizational cohesion and communicated in the simple language of his soldiers, which had a captivating influence on all who heard him. He made extensive use of powerful cultural symbols that evoked strong emotions. These meaningful actions, combined with his talent for leading by example, fostered strong group identity and motivated his troops to go above and beyond.
Alexander shared in the hardships of his army. One well-documented example occurred during a forced march through the desert, when the army faced a severe water shortage and many died of thirst. His men reserved a portion of the remaining water for him, but Alexander refused it, choosing to share in their burden. On another occasion, during an assault on an enemy fortification, his army was stalled and believed they were at a stalemate. To inspire them, Alexander scaled the wall himself and leapt to the ground.
Surrounded by the enemy and seriously wounded, Alexander’s actions inspired his army to follow him, ultimately leading them to victory. He was deeply loved by troops, a sentiment born out of their respect for him and the example he set.
An Unfortunate Ending
The story of Alexander the Great is an incredible one. He began his reign as an enlightened leader and an remarkable role model. However, as time went on, he became addicted to power, increasingly domineering and unforgiving. As he grew less tolerant and unaccepting of any criticism, his leaders kept their reservations to themselves. His leadership progressively degenerated in the eyes of his men.
He died in Babylon (modern-day Iraq) at the end of a 12-year campaign, never again to return to his homeland. This unfortunate ending does not take away from his extraordinary achievements. Alexander left a permanent mark on the world. He will remain a figure of fascination and study for thousands of years after his death, and even today, we can still learn valuable lessons from his leadership style.
