Lessons for a new age of grit from Scipio Africanus

The drums of war are banging ever closer. Not only in Ukraine but also in the Persian Gulf and the Taiwan Straits and in the dealings of the Cartels of Mexico.

Consequently, along with the rise of interest rates, we are seeing a change of actors along with the change of scenery in terms of who people general consider as their leaders.

Grit and character take on a life of its own.

And step by step, prominent people of the past decade of easy money are exiting the scene. Some voluntarly, some against their will. It is a safe bet, soon new leaders will emerge. People who have no problem saying or projecting an image that they did say, "“The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,”

Regardless of the individual, whether you like that person or not. This is the defining trend. And it will affect you not only in real life but also in business.

The new leaders

For a clear examples what they will look like, we do not have to look afar.

Scipio Africanus, a legendary military commander and statesman lives on in the cultural elite of the West and their memories from classic antiquity to this day.

His life offers valuable lessons on leadership, strategy, and determination in times of war we are heading towards. But anyone, regardless of gender or background or ideological leanings can learn from his example even in business and personal life just like his own daughter, Julius Caesar, Elizabeth the First, Napoleon, the Founding Fathers, Winston Churchill and many more have done.

From a noble lad to a legend

Born into a prominent Roman family in 236 BC, Scipio grew up in a turbulent period of Roman history, marked by political unrest and frequent warfare.

Despite these challenges, Scipio was a gifted leader and strategist from an early age. He showed promise as a young man, distinguishing himself in battle and earning the respect of his peers. He was known for his courage, discipline, and dedication to the Roman cause.

Scipio's greatest achievement came during the Second Punic War, when he led the Roman army against Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who had been wreaking havoc on Roman territory for years. Scipio recognized that beyond containment strategy of Fabius, the traditional Roman tactics were ineffective against Hannibal's guerilla-style warfare, so he devised a new strategy that involved attacking Carthage directly.

This bold move paid off, and Scipio emerged victorious after a series of decisive battles (such as Zama). He is credited with ending the war and securing Roman dominance in the Mediterranean region.

Scipio's success as a military leader was due to his visionary tactics and strategic genius. As historian Adrian Goldsworthy notes,

"Scipio had a willingness to try new approaches and was not afraid to take risks." He was also a skilled diplomat who knew how to build alliances and leverage the strengths of his partners.

A generous spirit

Scipio was not only a brilliant military commander but also a statesman who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the Roman people. He reformed Roman institutions and promoted both Roman and Greek culture and civilization via his circle of cultured friends. He was also known for his generosity and compassion, as demonstrated by his treatment of the defeated Carthaginians after the war.

The nine lessons

1. Develop a long-term strategy: Scipio Africanus understood the importance of developing a long-term strategy that sustains the Roman Republic throughout the war. Similarly, a focus on developing a long-term strategy that can withstand any future uncertainties is a good way to define you as a leader. Go beyond the number of people who follow you or the next board report.
2. Adapt to changing circumstances: Scipio Africanus was able to adapt to changing circumstances mid-battle and was not afraid to change his tactics if they were not working. You too can benefit from being more flexible and being able to adapt to changing circumstances.
3. Build strong partnerships: Scipio Africanus was able to build strong partnerships with allies, which helped him to win the war. In business, focusing on building strong partnerships is the easiest way to ensure the success of our ventures. There are not many "this one trick" options in life or business but a strong partnership even with a dissenting voice can deliver magic to you.
4. Take calculated risks: Scipio Africanus took calculated risks that paid off in the end. Similarly, business leaders and entrepreneurs should be willing to take calculated risks to seize opportunities and grow their businesses. Particularly famous is his night fire attack in Utica.
5. Be a visionary leader: Scipio Africanus inspired his troops and rallied them to victory. His troops directly believed in his dreams and made him the world's first de-facto visionary leader. A theme of visionary leadership Cicero extended to philosophy in his classic Somnium Scipionis.
6. Focus on talent development: Scipio Africanus focused on developing the talent of his troops, which helped him to build a strong and effective army. He was helped in this by his right hand man, Gaius Laelius. Who is your Laelius? The woman or man in your life that can develop an idea to fruition. Bring together people you need to fuel your growth. Can you be without one?
7. Stay disciplined: Scipio Africanus was disciplined and held his troops to high standards. In business, leaders and entrepreneurs should also stay disciplined and hold themselves and their teams to high standards for success. This is probably the hardest part of any job or business.
8. Be resilient: Scipio Africanus faced numerous setbacks and challenges during the war but remained resilient and persevered. Even in the face of losing his father and close family. This is the second most difficult task for a leader: to be resilient and able to bounce back from setbacks.
9. Learn from failures: Scipio Africanus learned from his failures and used them to improve his strategies. In business, leaders and entrepreneurs should also learn from their failures and use them to refine their strategies and improve their performance.

What historians think

Scipio Africanus was a true hero of his time, a visionary leader and brilliant strategist who transformed Roman history. As historian Richard Gabriel notes,

"Scipio was a man who could inspire others to follow him, and that is the mark of a great leader."

That's why his life and achievements are worth emulating.

What happened after his triumph in the Second Punic War is a bit darker tale for another day..