We are all sensible that the king and Tisaphernes have caused as many of us as they could to be apprehended, and it is plain they design, by the same treacherous means, if they can, to destroy the rest.
XenophonRead
There is small risk a general will be regarded with contempt by those he leads, if, whatever he may have to preach, he shows himself best able to perform.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A leader earns respect through their ability to perform rather than just by giving orders.
This quote emphasizes the importance of a leader's ability to lead by example. A general, or any leader for that matter, will maintain the respect and trust of their subordinates if they demonstrate competence and capability in the tasks they expect others to perform. It suggests that practical performance builds credibility, overshadowing mere rhetoric or authority.
Themes
LeadershipRespectCompetenceExamplePerformance
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, I might use this quote to illustrate the importance of leading by example.
More from Xenophon
All quotes βThose men who, in war, seek to preserve their lives at any rate commonly die with shame and ignominy, while those who look upon death as common to all, and unavoidable, and are only solicitous to die with honour, oftener arrive at old age and, while they live, live happier.
XenophonRead
You see that even the enemy did not dare to declare war against us till they had seized our generals, for they were sensible that, while we had commanders and yielded obedience to them, we were able to conquer them; but, having seized our commanders, they concluded that we should, from a want of command and discipline, be destroyed.
XenophonRead
You know that neither numbers nor strength give the victory, but that side which, with the assistance of the gods, attacks with the greatest resolution is generally irresistible.
XenophonRead
Let a man sow a field or plant a farm never so well, yet he cannot foretell who will gather in the fruits; another may build him a house of fairest proportion, yet he knows not who will inhabit it.
XenophonRead
For what the horse does under compulsion, as Simon also observes, is done without understanding; and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer.
XenophonRead
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