Lessons from History: Building a Lasting Legacy Beyond Self-Interest

Over the past few days, I had the incredible opportunity to delve into history with the younger members of our family. We embarked on a journey through various cities, exploring their ancient pasts and the different empires that once ruled them. From Greek to Roman to Ottoman to Slavic influences, these places have seen a tapestry of cultures and rulers.

While explaining these historical shifts, an intriguing question arose: why did these grand empires eventually fall? It’s a profound question, and my answer drew parallels with the modern business world. Just as empires rise and fall, so do businesses. New ideas and fresh perspectives are crucial, but there’s also a darker side to consider. Often, the downfall begins when individuals, intoxicated by power and wealth, start to believe they are invincible. They forget their mortality and attempt to play God.

During our visits, we encountered magnificent castles, statues, and historical sites depicting men, women, and children from centuries past. One of the youngsters asked why people no longer kneel before others. It’s a complex, and indeed, a hot topic. The answer circles back to the same concept: the destructive nature of playing God.

Everything that begins must eventually end, but our goal should be to live honestly and altruistically. Our mission is to build businesses, societies, and countries that will thrive long after we are gone, rather than focusing solely on personal gain. A poignant example is Alexander the Great. On his deathbed, he instructed his army to leave his arms outside his grave to demonstrate that he was taking nothing with him. Are there any leaders today with such foresight? Leaders who think beyond their own interests and genuinely want their people to prosper, even after they are gone?

Unfortunately, Alexander’s story didn’t end well. History suggests he was killed by his own army, largely because he envisioned a united world rather than one constantly at war. He married a Mongolian woman instead of a Macedonian, embracing diversity and rejecting narrow-minded nationalism. His father was King Philip of Greece, and his mother was an Illyrian princess from Macedon, yet he saw all races as equal.

In the corporate world, a similar scenario often unfolds. Senior management may withhold information from their teams, fearing competition and choosing to go their own way. This mindset is flawed. Believing oneself to be the best or most special hinders the world and business from functioning effectively after them. We are all mortal, and we won’t be taking anything with us to our graves.

This is the lesson I aimed to impart to our youngsters: we must strive to leave behind a better world than the one we inherited. Like empires, businesses, and leaders, we too will evolve. Intelligence, as Albert Einstein aptly put it, is the ability to adapt to change.

Let’s focus on building legacies that endure, driven by honesty and altruism, ensuring the world flourishes long after we are gone. #alturism #legacy #leadership #businesswoman