What Can Leaders Learn From Horses ?

A Leader’s Greatest Challenge: Overcoming Bucephalus’ Complex

Mixing Mytholody and Business: What can Leaders learn from Horses ?

I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep.

I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.

-Alexander the Great

I have a tremendous admiration for great historical figures. Since early childhood my parents and grand-parents instilled in me a love for great-ness and epic accomplishments through storytelling and Greek mythology. I love Mythology and I love Business. Most importantly, I love mixing them. One of my favorite—real—stories about Alexander the Great, king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia is his taming of Bucephalus. Bucephalus is considered by many the most famous horse in history. Alexander fought all his battles on this horse. Their initial encounter was very eventful though and took place when the Greek prince was only 12 years old. This incident revealed the true character of a young boy who, a few years later, would become one of the greatest conquerors in history. It also demonstrated that a leader’s greatest challenge is to be the masterful regulator of people’s emotions.

Bucephalus was a giant, magnificent black stalion. His name literally means “ox head” in Ancient Greek. Bucephalus was initially brought to Macedonia in 346 BC. The horse was presented to Alexander’s father, King Philip II with a price tag three times the norm of the time. There was a major issue though and it was not his price tag. Bucephalus was too wild and was rearing up anyone who came near him. No one had been able to ride, tame or even approach him. Alexander loved this horse at first sight.

None of King Philip’s attendants managed to mount Bucephalus. As they were leading him away as totally useless, Alexander, who stood by, famously exclaimed “What an excellent horse do they lose for want of address and boldness to manage him!” Philip at first took no notice of what his son said, but when he saw how vexed Alexander was to see the horse sent away, he turned to his son, saying “Do you reproach those who are older than yourself, as if you knew more, and were better able to manage him than they.” “I could manage this horse, better than others do” Alexander replied. “And if you do not, what will you forfeit for your rashness?” Philip asked. “I will pay the whole price of the horse” answered Alexander.1

As soon as the wager was settled, Alexander ran to the horse. After observing his behavior he noticed that the horse was not afraid of humans like others thought. He was afraid of his own shadow. Alexander came up with a totally original approach in taming it. He took hold of the bridle and turned the horse’s face directly toward the sun, having observed that the horse was afraid of the motion of its own shadow. He then let him go a little forward, still holding the reins in his hands, and stroking the horse gently when he found him begin to grow eager. After letting his upper garment fall softly and with one nimble leap, he mounted him. When he felt Bucephalus was free from all rebelliousness and impatient for the course, he let him go at full speed, inciting him with a commanding voice and urging him also with his heel. Philip and his attendants looked on at first in silence and anxiety for the result, till seeing him turn at the end of his career and come back rejoicing and triumphing for what he had performed, they all burst out into acclamations of applause.

Historians claim that the taming of the wild Bucephalus was a turn-ing point in the young prince’s life, demonstrating the fearlessness, sharp perception and determination he was to show later in his conquest of Asia and other continents. Bucephalus and Alexander were inseparable; only Alexander could ride that horse. This is precisely what I call the “Bucephalus’ Complex.” Aside from horses it can be applied to us, modern humans. This is what I regard as the noblest and most powerful skill a leader can ever possess: skillfully turning people’s heads toward the sun to distract them away from their own shadows that is, away from self-doubt, self-sabotaging attitudes, unreasonable fears and risk-aversion to lead them toward challenges, goals and projects. Like Alexander managed to free the wild Bucephalus from his rebelliousness, leaders need to break through people’s defense barriers before guiding them toward their desired goals. Your team, the people you are in charge of, the people you mentor are your Bucephalus. Once you manage to help them get rid of their insecuri-ties and fears, once you help them develop skills they will be ready to “go to battle” and execute your orders. Fighting against people’s inner devils can sometimes feel like Don Quixote fighting against windmills though. But it does pay off. It is only after you’ve freed people of their fears and insecurities and after you’ve made them discover their full potential that they will pledge allegiance to you and your vision much more promptly than they would otherwise do.

Extract from my book Power Quotes: for Life, Business and Leadership published by BEP, New York, 388 pages.

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