Leading in times of Chaos
Marcus Aurelius leading during dark times
“No random actions, none not based on underlying principles.”
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 4.2
Our world is filled with constant chaos. When times become tough, we look to an individual who seems to be able to stand above the chaos. In times of crisis, we look to leaders to help pull us through.
A great leader knows the responsibilities on their shoulders. They understand that they are not acting specifically for themselves but rather for a greater cause. They do not sit their and blame others for the issue at hand but rather take responsibility to find a solution to the problem, quickly attempting to diagnose it and move out of the situation.
Marcus Aurelius is looked upon as a great leader not just because of his ability to hold within his actions his philosophy but because he put his people first. He spent a long time watching how to rule an empire, first studying Hadrian and seeing what to and not to do, and then under Antoninus. When Marcus was finally handed the power to govern Rome, his first action was to make his step-brother Lucius Verus his co-emperor. To split his power in half.
He writes in Meditations:
“Two kinds of readiness are constantly needed:
(i) to do only what the logos of authority and law directs, with the good of human beings in mind;
(ii) to reconsider your position, when someone can set you straight or convert you to his. But your conversion should always rest on a conviction that it's right, or benefits others - nothing else. Not because it's more appealing or more popular.”
One could see Marcus doing this for multiple reasons but one in particular is to have to reconsider his position of topics, to have someone else have the ability to tell him no.
When Rome was at war, as it often was when Marcus ruled between 161 and 180 AD, rather than raise taxes on the people of Rome, he sold off possessions from the palace so as to finance the wars rather than put more burden on the people.
In all likelihood, Marcus ruled differently than most because he had an extensive background in philosophy. He believed in cosmopolitanism, the idea that we are all part of one society and are citizens of the world, not just citizens of our own country. By leaning into his philosophy, he saw the bigger picture of his actions.
“My city and state are Rome - as Antoninus. But as a human being? The world. So for me, "good" can only mean what's good for both communities.”
And this is really the key to learn from Marcus. When times are tough, it is easy to get sucked into tit-for-tat, to retaliate immediately, to see things in black and white. But a great leader understands the situation at hand, the full impact of the actions they are taking. They do not just react, they deliberately act.
We are bigger than just ourselves. A leader recognizes this and takes this into account. They understand they are guiding not just themselves but a collective. They are working to make the best decision not for them in that moment but for the collective for the long-term future.
“No matter what anyone says or does, my task is to be good.”
Thank you again for reading and I hope you found this useful. Please feel free to heart, comment, or ask questions about this post. Suggestions are always appreciated and considered.
Until next week,
D.A. DiGerolamo