Straight from the Master: The Management Calculation of Socrates

In this delightful passage, Socrates is found telling a general of Athens the importance of businessmen and how managers have something to teach to generals. Straight from the master, it is a simile and checklist of qualities and duties of either a general or a good businessman, and what makes businessmen tick.

The following dialogue occurred after a general lost to a businessman in the annual elections of Athens and approached Socrates for an answer.

"Is it not the task of both the good business man and the good general to make their subordinates compliant and obedient?" said Socrates. "And to entrust individual matters to the individuals suitable to do them? I also think that it is incumbent on both to punish the bad and honor the good. And is it not commendable for both to make their subordinates well‐ disposed? Don't you think it's to the advantage of both to attract allies and helpers? Isn't it appropriate for both to guard what they possess? And just as appropriate that both be attentive and industrious in their own affairs?"



"But you leave out," replied the veteran officer, "what help business knowledge will be should it come to a fight."

"It's there where it will be most helpful. For the good business man, realizing that nothing is as advantageous and profitable as defeating one's enemies in battle, and nothing is so disadvantageous and financially ruinous as defeat, eagerly will search out and prepare what is conducive to victory, and will attentively consider and guard against what leads to defeat. Should he see that he has the resources to win, he will actively fight. But above all, if he finds himself unprepared, he will be careful not to join battle."

Socrates continued, "Don't look down on business men. For the management of private concerns differs only in respect to volume from that of public affairs. In other respects they are quite similar, especially in this regard: neither functions without the help of individuals, nor are private and public affairs transacted by different types of individuals."

- XENOPHON, SOCRATIC MEMOIRS 3.4.8-9, 11-12 (ABRIDGED)

In this dialogue, Socrates lists a plethora of qualities of business leadership, and interestingly, he arrives quite near to the modern definition of management – that is getting things done through others. The passage also touches upon management strategy.

As you see, the concepts of leadership, responsibilities, duties, skills, and approaches haven’t changed so much as to make ancient thought irrelevant.

From establishing influence over subordinates to calculating and deciding options and outcomes before taking a decision, the qualities of a business leader espoused and identified by Socrates remain as valid today as it was then. I hope this simple anecdote refreshes your thoughts on leadership and brings strength of conviction from the master of wisdom, Socrates.

Source:

Thomas J. Figueira, T. Corey Brennan, and Rachel Hall Sternberg, Wisdom from the Ancients: Enduring Business Lessons from Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and the Illustrious Leaders of Ancient Greece and Rome ed. Heskel, Julia, (Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing, 2001)