Are Leaders Born or Are They Made? The Case of Alexander the Great

Citation

Bullock, J. (2005), "Are Leaders Born or Are They Made? The Case of Alexander the Great", Leadership & Organization Development Journal, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 329-331. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730510600706

Do not let the title of this book fool you into thinking that it is yet another boring historical biography dusted off and freshened up a bit with a snappy cover to take advantage of the booming leadership book market. Are Leaders Born or Are They Made? The Case of Alexander the Great (Kets de Vries and Engellau, 2004) is a serious leadership psychology book that examines the personality, behaviours, and strengths and weaknesses of a world class leader in his own right – a legend in his own time – Alexander the Great.

The book opens with a captivating, yet brief, overview of the political climate of the times and description of Alexander's family constellation, framing the context for an examination of his rapid and successful ascent into leadership. Continuing to build on the birthright gained through noble parentage, Alexander was an ardent learner who was fascinated with subjects ranging from poetry to warfare and astronomy to weaponry. His father, the king, was innovative and leveraged knowledge for competitive advantage. He instilled this key to success in his son, providing him with teachers that represented the best in class of the day, including Aristotle and the king's most trusted champions, striking a balance between knowledge and conquest. In addition to the many role models in his life, Alexander fervently studied the strategies of famous leaders and was said to have slept with a copy of Homer's Iliad under his pillow although he could recite it from memory. The idyllic upbringing was not without strife, however, as the strained relationship between Alexander's parents continued to deteriorate. This is a classic tale of a son who desired to excel beyond his father's daunting accomplishments that was quickly launched when King Philip was murdered; one of the many risks inherent in power and leadership of the day. When Alexander's benchmark for success was suddenly and ruthlessly taken away, he charted his own course, fueled by his insatiable desire to achieve.

The remainder of the book provides a convincing psychoanalysis of Alexander based on in‐depth research of the many texts, writings, and artifacts that have survived the ages. His personality and behavior are examined from a clinical perspective. “It relies on concepts of the developmental psychology, family systems theory, cognitive theory, dynamic psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychoanalysis to understand his behaviour and actions” (p. xxii).

The psychodynamics of Alexander's leadership are examined to help readers fathom the relevance of his remarkable charismatic leadership to modern times. His intellectual prowess and driving ambition was bridled by a genuine regard for his men. A gifted speaker, he rallied the troops before engaging the enemy by recognizing individual soldiers for their courage and valor in prior battles; he recognized them by name and sang their praises. He did not stand at a distance but led the charge in every battle and was admired for his courage by his men. During the majority of his military conquests, he did not live the separate, comfortable life of a supreme ruler, but could be found eating, drinking, and sleeping among his men. Although his strategic expertise may have helped gain competitive position, the admiration and respect of his troops ensured tactical execution of his plans without fail. “Under his leadership, his men never lost a battle – not once! – and their losses on the field were relatively few compared to those of their adversaries” (p. 35).

The reader interested in the psychological dimensions of leadership will appreciate the rich analysis of Alexander's personality and behavior from a clinical perspective, as well as the discussions of social identity theory. The business reader will appreciate the key lessons of Alexander's leadership success. They will marvel at the knowledge and supply chain management employed by Alexander centuries ago, as well as his penchant for analyzing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses to create competitive advantage. Vision and innovation were key elements of his success, as was his relentless encouragement of his troops. He invested heavily in training and development and managed meaning to create a group identity. In addition, readers will learn crucial lessons learned after Alexander's untimely passing; his ambitious quest to succeed left less glamorous, but important things undone. As the author states, “Through his example, contemporary leaders in business and politics can learn much about what leaders should (and should not) do” (p. 97).

The title of the book addresses a timeless question – Are leaders born or are they made? – with an in‐depth examination of a leader whose success has yet to be rivaled in the modern world. The book is informative, interesting, and a quick read that is suitable for those interested in psychology, business, and leadership, as well as history fans looking for a fresh look into the mind of a timeless leader, Alexander the Great.