Presenting Unanticipated Gifts: A Delightful Shock for Recipients
In the annals of history, the act of sharing power has proven to be a powerful tool for effective leadership. One of the most notable examples of this can be traced back to the Roman Empire, during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Aurelius, known for his wisdom and philosophical writings, shocked the world in 161 AD by naming his step-brother Lucius Verus as his co-emperor. This move was almost unheard of in Roman history, where a vast majority of emperors ruled alone. The joint rule of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus was a rare instance in Roman history where two emperors jointly ruled to manage the empire's vast challenges.
The Roman Empire sometimes appointed co-emperors or Caesars to govern different regions or ensure smooth succession. However, the decision by Marcus Aurelius to share power was a departure from the norm, and it is often cited as one of the earliest formalized power-sharing instances in imperial leadership.
Marcus Aurelius' decision to share power was a demonstration of selflessness and humility, as well as a means of choosing principle over pride. His teachings encourage leaders to consider where they can be less possessive and share the load, elevate someone else, or choose principle over pride.
This act of sharing power is not unique to the Roman Empire. Other historical leaders have demonstrated power-sharing through democratic institutions, coalition leadership, or negotiated autonomy within fragmented polities. George Washington, for instance, refused to become a monarch and instead helped establish a republican form of government with elected leadership, sharing power through democratic institutions rather than autocratic rule.
In more recent history, Nelson Mandela, after being imprisoned for 27 years fighting apartheid, emerged promoting reconciliation and worked as president to share power in a new democratic South Africa that embraced equality and inclusivity.
During World War II, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill shared Allied leadership responsibilities, coordinating military and political strategy despite differing national interests. Even in the Philippines, central government and regional warlords have at times shared power informally, with warlords granted local autonomy and armed forces in exchange for loyalty and control of violence.
Marcus Aurelius' teachings imply that empowering others is a crucial aspect of leadership. He suggests that true greatness lies in giving away one's ego, need for control, and fear of being overshadowed. The act of sharing power is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.
In his book Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote about the concept of not being "imperialized" or "stained purple," emphasizing the importance of not letting power corrupt one's character. This timeless lesson continues to resonate today, reminding leaders that the greatest power comes from letting go of power.
References:
- The Allied Leadership During World War II
- Marcus Aurelius and the Co-Emperorship of Lucius Verus
- Warlord Politics in the Philippines
- George Washington and the Establishment of a Republican Government
- Nelson Mandela's Leadership After Apartheid
- Marcus Aurelius' Concept of Not Being "Imperialized" or "Stained Purple"
- Chapter: Sharing Power in Marcus Aurelius' Discipline is Destiny
Sharing power is a leadership strategy that was exemplified by Marcus Aurelius, who named his step-brother Lucius Verus as co-emperor in 161 AD, a move that differed from the norm in Roman history. This demonstration of selflessness and humility is not only found in ancient civilizations, but also in democratic institutions, coalition leadership, or negotiated autonomy within fragmented polities, as seen in George Washington's establishment of a republican form of government and Nelson Mandela's post-apartheid leadership in South Africa. The act of sharing power is considered a sign of strength, not weakness, and is a crucial aspect of effective leadership, as taught by Marcus Aurelius in his book Meditations.
