Gina London: Look for leadership philosophy today from Marcus Aurelius, an ancient leader of yesterday

Let’s kick things off with Marcus Aurelius. If his name doesn’t immediately sound familiar to you from the history books, you may better recall him as the 2nd century Roman emperor famously portrayed by Richard Harris in the 2000 film Gladiator. It was one of the Irish actor’s last roles and he played the ageing leader accurately as a wise and benevolent man.

In a touching scene, he speaks with Russell Crowe, who plays the movie’s fictional lead character Maximus.

“I am dying, Maximus,” Marcus Aurelius says. “When a man sees the end, he wants to know there was some purpose to his life. Will I be known as the philosopher, the warrior or the tyrant?”

Great question. For purposes of today’s column, we’re going to focus on his legacy as a philosopher. Caesar Aurelius is known for his dedication to Stoicism, a school of thought founded hundreds of years before by a man called Zeno of Citium or modern-day Cyprus. Among its principles is a focus on the rational. Stoicism urges us not to waste emotional energy on things we cannot control.

Marcus Aurelius dedicated much of his life studying and practising the philosophy and collected his thoughts in the book, Meditations. I first read it as a political science student at Indiana University and I take it off the shelf quite regularly as it’s still as relevant today as it was during the height of the Roman Empire.

Interestingly, his writings were intended as a diary. Historians believe he didn’t want anyone else to read it.

In fact, the originaltitle was, ‘Ta eis heauton’ which translates as ‘Things to oneself’.

I think this titbit matters because as I read along, I enjoy considering that I am not reading the preachings of an exalted leader to his subjects, but rather the internal ruminations of a human being grappling with life’s eternal questions like so many of us also struggle.

Let’s now explore a bit of his journal together.

1 See life more clearly

Stoics seek to experience and appreciate the world for what it is, not what we may wish it could be. By understanding that so many of what happens is out of our control, we can set our sights on tackling the things that we can impact.

Take, for instance, why some people are struck by sickness, loss or any number of so-called “misfortunes?”

I put the word in inverted commas because when we view these occurrences as unlucky, we are negating the fact that these kinds of events can happen to anyone. They are a part of life. Pay attention to how much of our narrative leans into emotionally-charged wording.

In a business context, for example, the next time your company hires a new manager or supervisor whom you find, well, annoying, understand that this doesn’t mean the universe is out to get you. Annoying colleagues are part of the world. They’re just as likely to arrive in your path as anyone else’s.

Difficulties don’t happen for a reason, as is so often said. Many difficulties in life just happen. What you decide to do next is what gives the situation reason.

As Marcus Aurelius writes: “You have power over your mind. Not outside events. Realise this and you will find your strength.”

2 Do what you can

Now that you have committed to accepting life clearly as it is, and that a lot is beyond your control, you can turn more of your attention to what you can control and, “go straight to the seat of intelligence,” as Marcus writes.

What does that mean? Well, to me it means that the more you can learn, the more equipped you will be. Seek more knowledge and experience. Do this through a variety of ways like reading books, watching videos (those with information not just cats playing piano), and speaking with people.

Reconnect with a mentor or aim to connect with someone you admire for the first time.

Mastery of anything requires a master. If you’re feeling lost or aimless, don’t sit idly by. Get busy. As Marcus writes, “Begin - to begin is half the work.”

3 Do good today

“Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone–those that are now and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river: the ‘what’ is in constant flux, the ‘why’ has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what’s right here. The infinity of past and future gapes before us—a chasm whose depths we cannot see.”

His words leap from the pages to implore us to action.

When are we going to begin the presentation, report or project? When are you going to reach out to that possible mentor? As Marcus pondered, “You could be good today. Instead you choose tomorrow.”

To me, this is one of the more powerful quotes in the book. What will you choose to do, today?

Write to Gina in care of SundayBusiness@independent.ie

With corporate clients in five continents, Gina London is a premier communications strategy, structure and delivery expert. She is also a media analyst, author, speaker and former CNN anchor. @TheGinaLondon