Ideas in Antiquity Week 5

Assignment One: As an introduction into the process of becoming a leader in Xenophon’s Education of Cyrus (c. 365 BCE), read the following scenario and answer the associated written and survey questions.

In the middle of your time in high school you are sent to live with relatives in another country whose customs are largely strange and unfamiliar to you. The food, the clothing styles, cultural references, the educational system, even the form of government are different. Through no fault of your own, the father of your host family seems to like you more than his oldest son and might even be grooming you for a political career in this new country, which the son seems to resent at least a little. You are more naturally talented than he is and generally more likeable. This political career would give you access to more resources than you would ever command from a career in your home country.

In order to prepare for this career you are expected to assimilate many of the customs of the new country. You are expected to dress differently, eat differently, and get a very different education. This education might include doing and learning things that your home country would not approve of. What would you do?

2. Which three of these emotions do you believe you would find it most difficult to manage? Explain your choices.

I would likely have difficulty doing things that would be considered amoral in my home country. I like to consider myself a person who, at the very least, strives to uphold himself with honor, even if I fall short at times. I’d have some reservations about doing something formerly illegal or immoral, as my parents and teachers drilled the importance of honor into me at a young age, and it’d feel as if I was letting them down if I failed to heed their teachings.

I’m also a rather shy person by nature. Time cures this in my case, but in a new place, with different cultural mores, I’d be more apprehensive than usual at the thought of having to make new friends. Weighing most heavily on my mind would be the possiblity of offending someone with my mannerisms or way of speech. I don’t think it would crippl me, but it would definitely be a pressing concern for me.

Lastly, I think I’d have some difficulty building bridges between the son of my host father, and myself. While it isn’t necessarily my emotions that would inhibit me in this case, I recognise that jealousy and pride are a dangerous mix of emotions and the opportunity to foster goodwill, once the aforementioned are introduced may be reduced. Sympathy, I would certainly feel for him, yes, but managing my sympathy and his desire to please his father would be a difficult path to navigate.

3. Which three of these emotions do you believe you would find most easy to manage? Explain your choices.

I also selected eagerness to make new friends. As mentioned previously I am a shy person. That shyness however is tempered with something I’d liken to hope for the best. I’d best explain it like this. Yes, I am nervous around new people, but I am hopeful, or rather, would be hopeful that my new acquaintances would see me as a good person, and would treat me well in turn.

I am not shy, however, when it comes to exploring different cultures. Foreign history and mythology are both two of my passions, and the opportunity to see new sights and try odd foods is something that I’d never pass up. What’s more, experiencing culture with a minimal Americanized bent to it affords me the opportunity to see the country as natives see it, and that is something very special. Something to be treasured, for sure.

Lastly, I’d likely settle into my host country. Not necessarily an emotion, no, but feeling at home even when not a home is something that I pride myself on.

4. Circle how easy or difficult you believe you would find it to carry out each of the following responses (very difficult, difficult, neutral, easy, very easy):
Wear completely different clothes
very easy

Eat food that you don’t care for
difficult

Partake of drugs and alcohol that you know your parents would not approve of
very difficult

Compete with people your own age who are already much better at the skills you are trying to master
very easy

Be at your best in spite of how the son of your host father will resent you
neutral

Form friendship networks between the father of your host family and the other people in the country
neutral

Put the interests of the citizens in your new country above your own
neutral

Make requests of the father of your host family, even if you think he might not approve
very difficult

Risk offending your host family by declining to do something that they consider culturally acceptable but which you consider morally wrong

very easy

Step 1

Consider and write on the following questions:

What does it mean to “lead globally”?

Leading globally, in my estimation, is a matter of taking into consideration the needs and concerns of nations around the world, both when making policy and law, and when choosing to engage foreign enemies and help allies. A global leader, therefore, is good at both weighing the positive and negative aspects of possible intervention and interaction, and can foresee elements of those outcomes, and how they’ll affect the world as a whole, and a coalition of nations

What is the difference between a global leader and every other kind of leader? Who is obviously not a global leader and what are such leaders lacking? I.e., what are the crucial traits of global leadership?

Empathy, and a desire to do right are obviously two elements that a global leader must possess. One cannot involve themselves in global affairs and expect good outcomes without them. But these aren’t limited to global leaders, as all leaders must possess these traits. Once engaged, a nation that adheres to globalism cannot shrink back within itself, and expect the world to go on without it, a fact Donald Trump (nationalistic leader) doesn’t understand. Globalism is a commitment, and once committed, one cannot back out with a plan, both for your self and your nation, and for the world.

My definition is a good bit more simplistic and abstract, whereas Wikipedia’s is definite and precise.

When you picture a global leader in your mind, do you see a man or a woman? Why do you think that is?

A man, mainly because for the larger portion of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, male leaders were the one’s in charge of the world, and it was their policies that actually made a difference. (Mainly due to the subjugation of the female gender during this 300 yr span).

Step 2

How do you think you would train someone to be a global leader?

First train them to be a good follower and listener. Next allow them to take the reins in a limited capacity, correcting them where need be. Then allow them to take the reins fully, and guide them as they make decisions.

Specifically, what subjects would a person study and how would they develop the traits you believe are necessary to lead globally?

Politics, international business, law, economics, military science, geography and culture, the list is enormous. There is no really unnecessary subjects, as all information is good information, but these are the topics most pertinent to the job.

How old do you need to be in order to lead globally? Explain your answer.

At least 50. Age and experience are crucial to this job, as with them come wisdom. A temperament cool and even, would also be a boon.

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