Leadership is not just about academic expertise, but a deeper understanding of personal insight and practical experience. The lack of broader insight often results in poor leadership, leading to several problems. 

In this blog post, we will dig deeper into the highly appreciated book “The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership” by M. Soupios, Ph.D., and P. Mourdoukoutas, Ph.D., both professors at Long Island University in the USA

What we like about this book is how the professors simply explain leadership as a combination of personal skill, practical experience, and evolving perspectives, with the last being the defining factor. Evolved perspectives are crucial for leaders to develop and articulate a sound vision and action plan. True leaders can see things more rapidly than typical executives, thanks to their insights that allow them to focus on challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 Golden Rules of Leadership as identified by the authors.

1. Know thyself (Thales)

Understanding yourself to lead effectively: The Power of self-awareness

Understanding one’s inner world, personal strengths or weaknesses, and bright and dark sides is crucial for leaders to comprehend. Self-comprehension is an essential precondition to support leadership. Thales, one of the seven sages of Greece, emphasizes this point. He believed that by knowing oneself, one could navigate the world better. The same applies to leadership. Leaders must know themselves to lead effectively.

2. Office shows the person (Pittacus)

The significance of your position: How your leadership role reflects your inner self

The authority held by an office or position brings out the leader’s inner world. Pittacus, another one of the seven sages of Greece, believed that the office shows the person. This means that a leader’s office and position reveal whether they have undergone a process of honest self-discovery that allows for the productive application of influential powers.

3. Nurture community in the workplace (Plato)

Building a sense of belonging: Creating a supportive and engaging work environment

Plato emphasized the importance of community engagement and sentiment, virtues that all leaders must nurture by providing the right support, guidance, or incentives. As leaders, we should strive to create an environment that nurtures a sense of community and belonging among employees. When employees feel like they are part of a team, they are more motivated to work towards common goals.

4. Don’t waste time on things you can’t change (Aristophanes)

Focusing your efforts wisely: Prioritizing areas within your control for organizational success

Aristophanes, a comic playwright of ancient Athens, reminds us not to waste our resources and energies on things that we cannot control at this time, and therefore, cannot change. All leaders must focus their efforts and resources on areas that are within their control and have a direct impact on their organization’s success.

5. Always embrace the truth (Antisthenes)

Fostering a culture of honesty: Encouraging open communication and transparency in leadership

Antisthenes believed that effective leaders should always embrace truth, encourage candid criticism throughout the organization, be skeptical of flattery, and never let authority place a wedge between them and the truth. Leaders must create a culture of honesty and transparency where people can speak openly and share their thoughts and opinions without fear of retaliation.

6. Let competition reveal talent (Hesiod)

Harnessing the power of healthy competition: Creating platforms for employee creativity and growth

Nurture an environment that can use the force of competition constructively. Create platforms that release the ingenuity and creativity of employees in pursuing corporate goals and objectives. Identify the subordinates who use competition as a constructive force, and steer away from subordinates who use competition as a destructive force. Hesiod, a Greek poet, believed that competition can bring out the best in people. Leaders must create a culture

The sixth rule of leadership is to let competition reveal talent. The authors suggest that leaders should create an environment that can use the force of competition constructively. This means that leaders should provide platforms that release the ingenuity and creativity of employees in pursuing corporate goals and objectives. Additionally, they should identify the subordinates who use competition as a constructive force and steer away from subordinates who use competition as a destructive force.

7. Live life by a higher code (Aristotle)

Exemplifying ethical leadership: Dedication to principles and values in your conduct

According to Aristotle, effective leaders should dedicate themselves to higher standards of personal conduct. They should not harbor ill thoughts for those who offend them, be ready to assist those in need, and remain calm in the face of calamity or emergency. Leaders should dedicate themselves to basic principles and values without compromise. They should turn authority into power by earning their people’s trust, respect, loyalty, and admiration through their conduct.

8. Always Evaluate Information With A Critical Eye

Making informed decisions: The importance of objectivity and thorough evaluation

The eighth rule is to constantly evaluate information objectively. Leaders should consider all viewpoints before making a decision. They should be skeptical of conventional wisdom and ensure that they have all the facts before making a decision. They should take the time to gather all the information and then weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

9. Never Underestimate The Power of Personal Integrity

Humility and responsibility in leadership: Acting in the best interest of your team and organization

The ninth rule is to avoid excessive self-importance. Leaders should not allow their position to go to their heads. They should avoid arrogance and be humble. They should recognize that their position is a privilege and that they are responsible for the welfare of their people. They should always act in the best interest of their people and avoid actions that benefit themselves at the expense of others.

10. Character Is Destiny

Diplomacy and relationship-building: Navigating complex dynamics for mutual benefit and success.

The tenth and final rule is to cultivate the art of diplomacy. As leaders, we must be skilled in the art of diplomacy. We should be able to navigate complex relationships and conflicts with ease. We must resolve conflicts in a way that benefits all parties involved. They should be able to build alliances and coalitions to achieve common goals.

Conclusion

The ten golden rules of leadership provide a blueprint for effective leadership. They emphasize the importance of personal introspection, community engagement, truth, competition, personal conduct, objectivity, humility, and diplomacy. These rules are based on classical wisdom and are relevant in today’s highly competitive business environment. If you as Leader will embrace these rules you are more likely to succeed and achieve your goals while building strong, productive, and loyal teams.

Even if now you know that you don’t need to start from scratch and that there is a blueprint that can guide you in the art of Leadership, you may ask yourself “But how I can start exercising in order to improve my leadership practice based on the rules mentioned above”, don’t worry, Rasing Leader is here to help you.

Take your diary, spreadsheet, or any other note-taking system you use and write down the following exercises as tasks for yourself:

Exercise 1 /Task 2:

If one of your goals is to become more Honest and Transparent, take some time to reflect on your communication style. 

Are you being completely honest and transparent with your team members? Identify areas where you might be holding back information or not being completely truthful. Don’t lie to yourself when answering, even if the truth is not easy to digest.

If the answer is YES, set a goal to be more open and transparent in your future communication, of course, based on the subjects which are not sensible to share with your team.

Exercise 2 /Task2:

If another goal of yours is to Empower Your Team, think about the tasks and responsibilities that you currently handle as a leader. Identify tasks that could be delegated to your team members, start by delegating small tasks, and gradually increase the level of responsibility as your team members demonstrate their capability. 

Provide clear guidance and support as needed, in order to avoid members’ fear of failure, which can be a barrier to creativity.

Exercise 3 /Task 3

If you identify yourself more as a “team player leader”, you know that Leading by Example is one of the greatest practices out there.

In this exercise start Identifying a behavior or attitude that you want to encourage in your team. 

Start practicing that behavior or attitude yourself, and be sure to model it consistently. Provide feedback to your team members when you see them demonstrating that behavior or attitude.

Exercise 4 /Task 4

As a general rule for all of the above, don’t be afraid to ask and encourage the team’s Feedback along the way.

Right from the start, schedule a team meeting focused specifically on feedback encouragement, which for example is one of the key principles discussed throughout the “The One Minute Manager” book by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson.

Schedule a team meeting specifically focused on feedback. Let your team members know that you want to hear their thoughts on the above adjustments which you want to implement in order to improve your leading practice.

Be open and receptive to their feedback, and be sure to follow up on any suggestions that are made.

Considering that the Feedback must be a two-way street, you can already mention to them the “self-rating” based on the behavior or attitude that you want to encourage, which is another powerful tool highlighted in “The One Minute Manager”. 

Since a “self-rating” system, can easily be misinterpreted, start by explaining the purpose of “self-rating” and its importance in promoting personal growth and self-awareness. You really need to highlight that the intention is not to criticize or judge but to facilitate individual development and improve overall team performance.

Exercise 5 /Task 5

The last exercise is about overall Fostering a Positive Culture.

Fostering a positive culture within your team is crucial for many reasons. 

Firstly, it enhances employee satisfaction and engagement, leading to higher productivity and overall performance. When your team members feel valued, supported, and respected, they are motivated to give their best and collaborate effectively. 

Secondly, a positive culture promotes open communication, trust, and transparency.

Fostering a positive culture might also include recognizing team members for their hard work, creating opportunities for team building, or encouraging a positive work-life balance. Start by setting goals for yourself, and your team to improve the overall culture.

FAQs

• What are the “10 Golden Rules of Leadership”?

“The 10 Golden Rules of Leadership”, are a combination of personal skill, practical experience, and evolving perspectives, with the last being the defining factor.

• How can I apply the rule “Know thyself” in leadership?

By taking the time to understand yourself better as a leader. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and your unique personality traits. By gaining this self-awareness, you’ll be able to navigate the leadership journey with more confidence and make better decisions.

• What does the rule “Let competition reveal talent” by (Hesiod) mean for leaders?

The rule “Let competition reveal talent” is all about creating a healthy and constructive competitive environment. It means providing opportunities for your team members to showcase their skills and creativity in pursuit of shared goals. Look out for those who thrive in competition and encourage their growth, while also avoiding any destructive competition that hinders teamwork.

• How can I foster a positive culture within my team?

Fostering a positive culture is key to a happy and productive team! You can start by recognizing and appreciating your team members’ hard work. Encourage open communication, transparency, and trust among your team. It’s also great to organize team-building activities and support a healthy work-life balance. Together, these actions create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated.

• What is the significance of the rule “Character is destiny” in leadership?

It’s all about conducting yourself with integrity, empathy, and a genuine commitment to ethical principles. By embodying these qualities, you earn the trust, respect, and loyalty of your team. It helps you build strong relationships and navigate challenges with grace, ultimately leading to success in your leadership journey.