Alexander the Great (353-326 B.C.) is widely known as the only human to conquer the world. He became King at 20 and won most of his major victories before his 25th b-day. I guess you could say he was on the fast track. Here’s something you might find interesting. He had two executive coaches during his run to the top. Yup. Even world conquerers need coaches. According to Steven Pressfield in his book, The Virtues of War, his coaches didn’t help him discover his strengths, understand his hardwiring, or refine his big dream for Macedonia. His two coaches didn’t help him with his communications skills, and didn’t help him understand the strategy nor the tactics of battle. What a couple worthless lightweights he had beside him. All his coaches taught him were two rather simple things.
Aristotle taught Alexander to reason. Telamon taught him to act.
Whatever you are learning from your mentors, coaches, peers, teams, competitors, teachers, spouses, friends and from the entirety of your life experiences, you will improve when you develop the discipline of slowing down, reflecting, writing, and acting with less than all the analytics in your hands. Aristotle would tell you to slow down and reflect. Write. He would teach you to understand your emotions and use reason. Telemon would kick you in the rear to get moving. Aristotle taught Alexander to reason. Telamon taught him to act. Some pretty good bookends, huh.
What would Aristotle & Telamon tell you today, friend? Telamon would tell you you’ve been waiting a bit too long. Aristotle would tell you to slow down and think. If you’re gonna conquer the world, few of your days are gonna be easy ones where you “either/or” your way forward. Reason and action. Good…
BUILT TO LEAD 