Great Lessons From Terrible Leadership:

Insight 74 | The Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Have you ever heard the phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely”?

The idea was coined by Lord Acton, a British historian, politician, and writer, in a letter he wrote in 1887, which holds that unchecked control often leads to corruption, actions motivated by self-interest, and an increase in pride and a decline in character.

This is the very same fate the brilliant, charismatic, and hopeful man, Napoleon Bonaparte, met as he became stubborn, narcissistic, and fatally flawed. While he may be controversial in specific ways, his ascension and demise offer profound life lessons within the study of leadership and for our everyday decisions when choosing those we want at the head of our communities.

These understandings are crucial to how we lead and to how we distinguish between the kind of figure we want at the forefront of our personal lives, organizations, or government.

It is they who steer the ships of our societies, and now, more than ever, it is crucial to learn from others' mistakes to ensure the figureheads in our lives are steering us into safe harbors and not shark-infested waters.

While we have discussed the rise of Napoleon in this Newsletter before, his life is rich with opportunities for learning, complex conversations, and, particularly, lessons in action. If you are interested in learning more about his roots and the exact one thing that made him successful, read W.O.W.’s previous article on him: The One Thing That Made Napoleon Successful.

Leadership is an ongoing practice and study, one whose elements are drawn from both stories of success and failure. Beyond that, while not everyone may be called to pursue positions of authority, we all, at various moments, will have superiors above us or be the head of our own smaller commands. This leads us to our first understanding:

1. Not All Leaders Are GOOD Leaders. They may perhaps be “good at leading,” but this does not make them morally, ethically, or practically GOOD people.

Yes, authority should be respected, but allow free and independent thought to guide your rationalization of whether an individual is corrupt and a puppet used to manipulate the whims of the masses or, instead, someone directing the population towards a brighter and better tomorrow. (Perhaps a timely message in today's clouded political climate, it acts as an invitation to think critically.)

See, ambitious general might have been great at leading, as his military and governmental success for the longest time proves, but somewhere along the line, he stopped being a “good” leader. Once a bright-eyed, innocent boy, eager to learn and play his part in his country's future, he became a self-centred man, a womanizer, a dictator, and the cause behind so many of his own men's deaths.

We, on the other hand, should be careful not to fall into the same trap, being vigilant to keep the antidote (accountability) close at hand. Whether or not we are aware of who looks up to us, we should strive to be great people who are also great stewards of the responsibility given to us. It's not just about getting things “done”; if we keep winning points but losing hearts, then it all means nothing.

Not All Leaders Are GOOD Leaders. But we can work to be both if we are intentional.

2. The Power Of Speech And Word. This said, many people know how to talk, act, and look pretty. But that's all they are, pretty by facade and meaningless within. Many of these individuals are so charming that they convince entire populations to believe their messaging. Our judgment of these members in places of authority should be based on their character, not just on their success or elaborate speeches.

At a time when the country was recovering from the madness of the French Revolution, the nation and its people were starved for order and hope. From this sentiment arose the search for a new way forward, and an ambitious, eager, and militarily successful young general caught many's attention. With promises of grandeur and glory for France, Napoleon offered a glimpse into what the country could become in its newfound strength and freedom. Although later, many of the promises made here would prove to be overshot or the result of misjudgment, his charisma and persuasive words rallied many towards the path that seemed to lead to prosperity. 

And while, for a time, his promises proved true, as the French were successful in campaign after campaign, eventually his ego took the best of him, and his actions turned rotten, misguided, and selfish. Yet his words were just as convincing, passionate, and inspiring as when he had the track record to back them up. The once-rising prodigy, blinded by pride, continued to lead his men and country into battles he was set to lose. 

This demonstrates that we must be cautious and mindful of how words are used; they can be used to convince us of both good and bad things, even when our conscience tells us otherwise.  We have heard it said before, but its truth sometimes slips by us: words hold power. Knowing this, we should never allow someone to “spin” the matter in a better light just to get a job done or to avoid hurting someone's feelings. 

On this same note, we must become particularly cautious when we find that the person doing this is ourselves. Remember, the worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves, and the worst thing we can do is believe them. 

There is Power In Our Speech.

3. Attitudes and Actions Breed Culture.  Although Napoleon's final fall at Waterloo is well discussed, his actual demise began long before, as his forces weakened from within, before any other army had to raise a gun.

As noted previously, the military strategists reputation and fame grew immensely as his campaigns won time and again, bringing back plunder and expanding France's reputation. But as his victories accumulate, so does his pride and, in turn, his negligence to heed sound advice. His officers, advisors, and soldiers quickly learned how futile it was to try to convince him of anything other than his own will. While Napoleon never suffered from Shooting The Messenger, he did fall into an even worse trap, ignoring the message being brought. Over time, this mindset cost him lives and his own position on the throne.

But before any of this, Le Petit Caporal, or the The Little Corporal (a moniker of affection given to him by his men) did have great success in shaping his Army's culture positively. Through promotions earned on merit and not bloodlines, he upheld the search for value and honor in contribution, not lineage. By being decisive, skillful, and fast, he motivated his soldiers to do the same. By marching alongside his men, sleeping under challenging conditions, and fighting in the battles themselves, he demonstrated solidarity and a true belief in their mission.

In both of these cases, we notice one thing: those with influence set the culture and mindset.

This insight extends beyond the workplace into the home as well. Truth-suppressing parents will create children who fear telling the truth. In the workplace, a boss who lashes out will foster employees who do the same. A friend who starts cussing will likely influence their other friends to follow suit. Likewise, the one member in the group who is willing to stay behind to help clean up will include another one or two to do the same. When someone believes in an idea, others are more likely to do so, and if someone gives more when there's nothing left, those around them will be inspired to do the same.

Culture is set when one person with influence begins to act; any single person can make a ripple that eventually turns into a wave. Perhaps we don’t all find ourselves at the “top” of any pyramid and would still like to experience a shift in mood or atmosphere where we find ourselves. That's alright, it only takes deciding not to conform to begin the transformation. You might not have the control to change the entire company, but you can start to change it from the top of your office, cubicle, class, circle, or wherever you happen to be, so that when someone walks in, they sense peace and leave the space feeling refreshed.

It's being a thermostat and setting the temperature, not a passive thermometer that just reports back what everyone else is doing.

It is our Attitudes and Actions that Breed Culture, and we are the ones who can form them in our own spaces and lives, then work outwards.

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These lessons are a two-edged sword, as they should cause us to question those in charge in our own lives, as well as our own capabilities and responsibilities to those who look up to us.

Yes, sometimes someone can be good at leading and yet not be GOOD leader. We all must be careful who we follow and what kind of fruit they bear.

Secondly, it's incredible to consider that we are made in the image of God and therefore bear much of his likeness, even if to a lesser degree. Understandably, if He is able to speak the galaxies into existence and we are made in his image, then our words have the power to create as well. The bottled-up potency within our speech and words can be used for many wonderful things, but can also be used to mislead. Remember that your integrity should never suffer for the sake of orders, quotas, goals, or feelings. 

Lastly, a blossoming culture should be encouraged, not suppressed, worked with, and not hidden away. While we cannot always expect this to be the norm, we can be the catalyst for the honorable and reasonable actions that we would like to see around us!  But that starts with setting it into motion ourselves. CULTURE is built from the top down. Start at the top of wherever you might be and work from there.

It begins with Leadership. It begins with You.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Resources:

Not All Leaders Are GOOD Leaders: 

• By their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:16

• We must obey God rather than men. - Acts 5:29

The Power Of Speech And Word:

• Death and life are in the power of the tongue. - Proverbs 18:21

Culture Is Set From the Top Down:

• When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. -  Proverbs 29:2

• Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.- 1 Timothy 4:12

John Greene, Napoleon Bonaparte, Crash Course European History #22: Link

Lord Acton Quote Archive: Link