The Stoic Leader

In the past, “Leader” was a title bestowed upon individuals who exhibited certain rare traits. They were unruffled by minor impediments. They always stood out by their actions and not by words alone. Now, it is a title that has lost its true essence. With the influx of jobs, sooner or later many of us become leaders by title, not necessarily of action – Leaders who crumble at the smallest of adversity, Leaders who want to just survive and not thrive, Leaders who have given a bad name to the revered role!

I’ve researched leaders in history, observed leaders in personal and corporate spaces for most of my life. Leadership traits that lead to one being a “Stoic Leader” have been of personal interest. I’ve listed 7 of my favorites below.

The Stoic Leader:

Remember Maximus from Gladiator? Andy Dufresne from The Shawshank Redemption? Or Yoda from Star Wars? – Exhibiting calm in the storm, accepting reality and acting upon it. All of them exhibited stoic leadership.

Here are 7 traits that makes one a Stoic Leader:

1.      Calm: This one stands out! Stoic leaders are calm and confident. They don’t have to be loud to prove their capability. They are not in the rat race for survival and acceptance. Their work and actions speak for themselves. The calm confidence also comes from wisdom – be the best at your trade – learn all that you can and fail forward.

2.      Accountable: One of the most sought-after traits today. Stoic leaders accept reality, take ownership and become accountable for it. I learnt a funny phrase a few years ago – blame-storming (derived from brainstorming). These are meetings that are conducted to pin the blame on someone or something. Sadly, this is the reality in many workplaces where excuses and blame throwing is the order of the day. “Leader” is not just a title, it is a role – own up and get the job done!

3.      Logical: How often have you seen a leader who makes a willy-nilly decision or a decision that is taken to pander to one’s own or a superior’s ego? A stoic leader, on the other hand, is fair and logical. He assesses potential pitfalls, anticipates and preempts risks. All without compromising the well-being of anyone.

4.      Focused: They are focused on the circle of influence. Focused on the solution and focused on harmony. They have a clear vision as to what they need to achieve as an individual and as a team. Most leaders are always busy, always running, but never moving forward – Like a hamster in a wheel. Live with a purpose and move towards the goal – Run fast if you’re able, walk if you can’t, but move forward!

5.      Courage: This one is tough—easier said than done. The movies, sometimes have glorified this trait to exhibit hubris and blatant disregard for order. This, on the other hand, is standing in your own truth, standing up to injustice, standing up for your people. Ask anyone who has worked for anyone about what they look for in a leader, and you’ll most often hear that they’d like to be defended with courage. Remember courage doesn’t go looking for trouble

“courage doesn’t always roar. sometimes courage

is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

‘i will try again tomorrow.” – An extract from a poem by – Mary Anne Radmacher

6.      Discipline: Another common thread that runs across all the Stoic Leaders is their self-control and discipline. They remove distractors and time wasters and operate in a controlled manner. They understand that time is very valuable and utilize it optimally.

Instant gratification is short-lived. We need to believe that anything significant takes tremendous time and discipline to achieve.

7.      Morals and Values: What are your beliefs and values? If you’re drawing a blank, time to spend some time to give it a thought and pen them down. A leader who is guided by a moral compass and a strong value system is a rare commodity.

In a world that has shifting morals and skewed value system, this leader shines like a bright diamond.

While I strive to define my own Morals and Values, guided by my experiences, faith and limited knowledge, I remembered this quote by Marcus Aurelius -- “Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”.

Lastly, a bonus trait if you’ve made it this far – Humility. Stoic leaders handle appreciations and criticisms well and don’t let their titles or victories get to their head.