A quote from Brené Brown about vulnerability here. A line from Simon Sinek about purpose there. And once in a while, an old classic from earlier generations—the likes of Stephen Covey, Kenneth Blanchard, or, to add a much-loved Brit to this roll call of Americans, the late Charles Handy.
In the latest Leadership in Focus article, Simon Nash, Group Managing Director of Law at Work, explores how classical leadership concepts remain deeply relevant to today’s challenges—bridging ancient wisdom with modern practice.
If we were gathering in the Acropolis of Athens thousands of years ago, listening to the latest talks on leadership would have been just as popular as it is today. Perhaps this is a sign that leadership remains a puzzle yet to be fully solved. Or maybe, as good news for those of us who teach leaders, it highlights a perennial need for each generation to learn anew the lessons of power and ethics.
The superstars of the classical leadership circuit were philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. While their words may be unfamiliar—largely because few today speak ancient Greek—their ideas are surprisingly recognizable and relevant.
Classical leadership theory centered on two key concepts: akrasia and arete. Beneath the surface, these ideas remain remarkably pertinent.
Akrasia, often translated as ‘weakness of will,’ describes the human tendency to fail in doing what we know we ought to do, or to persist in actions we know are harmful. Can’t quit smoking or vaping? That’s akrasia. Abandoned your couch-to-5K plan after six days? Akrasia again. Struggling to motivate your client service team to cross-sell products that would benefit customers and meet targets? More akrasia. This ancient term neatly encapsulates a modern problem.
The classical sages differed in their views on how to tackle akrasia. Plato might suggest your level of self-control is fixed—by birth and background—favoring Greeks over “barbarians,” and with deeply problematic views on women and slaves. But Aristotle took a different, more optimistic stance. He taught that akrasia can be overcome. Achievement is not predetermined by birth but cultivated through developing the character traits needed to resist temptation—whether it’s doom-scrolling on TikTok or succumbing to lesser impulses. Perhaps Aristotle has some advice for today’s youth as well.
The other pillar of classical leadership, arete, is sometimes translated as ‘virtue.’ However, modern connotations of virtue are narrower than the original Greek meaning. A better contemporary equivalent might be ‘strengths.’ This is fitting, since strengths-based leadership development is a popular approach in today’s leadership work.
Aristotle devoted his Nicomachean Ethics to explaining how people could cultivate arete—how they might develop leadership practices and live the good life. He argued that virtuous character arises from disciplined habits developed through repeated practice.
But Aristotle was no austere disciplinarian. He emphasized balance—valuing enjoyment of nature and music alongside moderation of excessive desires. Discipline, for him, meant maintaining harmony.
What lessons can the Nicomachean Ethics offer for our busy modern lives? Aristotle identified three essentials for pursuing virtue: dedication, discipline, and design.
Dedication is mental commitment to the good life. Where once reading biographies of exemplary people was encouraged, today tools like affirmations and visualization help craft compelling personal visions. These practices echo ancient wisdom, now supported by modern neuroscience and psychology.
Discipline involves the consistent repetition of virtuous actions. Aristotle’s analogy might be weight training: you start small, gradually increase effort, and build strength over time. Progress is rapid initially but slows as challenges increase. After sustained effort, virtuous habits become ingrained—exactly what modern research confirms.
Design is the third key element, optimizing success by shaping our environment and routines. This idea, rediscovered in behavioral economics as ‘nudge theory,’ helps us create conditions that support good habits. Examples include setting ‘sleep rules’ like no tech in the bedroom, placing running shoes by the door to encourage exercise, or removing distracting notifications to combat doomscrolling.
By combining dedication, discipline, and thoughtful design, Aristotle’s ancient framework offers powerful guidance for developing leadership and personal excellence today—linking timeless wisdom with contemporary practice.
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