1“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before himAnd loose the armor of kings,
To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight;I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.
Isaiah 45:1-3
Taken from the book Xenophon's Cyrus the Great: The Arts of Leadership and War"Seven lessons Cyrus teaches us about leadership:
1) Lead from the front
In the war against the Assyrians, Cyrus was the first to break ranks and lead his Persian army. His example inspired his troops, who followed him to victory time and again. Do you want others to follow you? Lead from the front.
2) Camaraderie is key
Social class meant little in Cyrus's army. Nobles slept in the same tents as commoners. Everyone, regardless of rank, had to train before eating. This destroyed social resentment among the troops and forged brotherhood among all ranks. Treat your team as equals to foster camaraderie.
3) Reputation is better than bribery
When Cyrus defended the honor of an enemy's captured wife, his noble act convinced her husband to switch sides and fight for Cyrus. His reputation for justice and compassion encouraged his enemies to surrender, knowing they would receive fairer treatment from him than from Cyrus's enemies. A good reputation pays for itself.
4) Seek Accountability
With his battles won, Cyrus warned his men that they risked losing their virtue and virility without wars to keep them on their toes. He asked his men to make sure he himself acted honorably, and he, in turn, did the same for them. Seek out people who keep you at your best, and vice versa.
5) Be Generous
When Cyrus conquered a camp, he prevented his officers from claiming the plunder. He insisted that his allies take their share first. Using this principle, Cyrus kept old alliances strong and attracted new ones. Reward others first, and you'll always have friends when you're in a bind. 6) Be Humble
When Cyrus accidentally undermined the authority of an allied king, he saw that he was putting his ego before his duty. He swallowed his pride and publicly apologized to the king, thus saving his alliance. Ego is the enemy of great achievements.
7) Honor God and Honor Men
Xenophon of Athens recounts Cyrus's last words to his sons: "If my own spirit endures, how much more endures God, the Lord who created and upholds the order of this universe, which is boundless in beauty and splendor. If God requires reverence, so does mankind, and you should treat all people with kindness. As great men, your deeds will be known to all mankind. If you are righteous, all will call you blessed."
Remember: when virtuous men lead, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people agonize (Prov. 29:2)
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