Our group perceives leadership as a complex concept that includes several essential dimensions. In our definition, good leadership is a skill that requires practice, which is shown by supporting and guiding others toward a common goal. In this regard, the quality of leadership is exemplified by having integrity and setting a strong example for others without being overbearing. Given these criteria, one can claim that the greatest Achaean warriors and kings were relatively poor leaders. Achilles, Agamemnon, Odyssey, and others, frequently prioritized personal glory over the common good, ignored team members’ opinions, and acted recklessly. As such, The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Agamemnon, the famous Ancient Greek plays, changed our understanding of leadership. In particular, we have become assured that good leadership is impossible without integrity and mentorship, while vanity and arrogance will likely result in a painful downfall.
The crucial role of integrity is evident from the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles that caused great grief to the Greeks. Agamemnon and Achilles violated the principle of integrity by letting an interpersonal honor-related dispute escalate into a heated argument. On the one hand, Agamemnon chose the worst-possible option of maintaining his honor by taking the rightful prize from Achilles, the strongest hero in the Greek ranks (The Iliad 1. 118-350). In this regard, he violated the fundamental principle of the army organization, as other heroes saw that Agamemnon did not respect his warriors. Moreover, Agamemnon greatly insulted the man desperately needed to defeat the Trojans, showing that personal honor and glory are more important to him than victory in war. On the other hand, Achilles’ reaction to Agamemnon’s arbitrariness was rage-driven, almost childish. The greatest Greek hero left the army and prayed for suffering and death to his former brothers-in-arms (The Iliad 1.162-492). In the end, the lack of integrity sabotaged the war effort, costing the Greek army dearly. Overall, the conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles demonstrates that a leader must see the bigger picture and preserve organizational integrity at all costs.
Furthermore, an interaction between Athena and Telemachus in The Odyssey demonstrated the importance of mentorship in leadership. Athena’s influence ignited Telemachus with a determination to find his father and take a stand against the obnoxious suitors residing in the Odyssey’s estate. Athena instructs Telemachus to help Oddysey find his way home so he can “lay his hands on all these shameless suitors” (The Odyssey 1. 252-254). Being a powerful goddess, Athena could exterminate the suitors with no effort. Instead, she inspired Telemachus to begin his personal journey toward achieving personal growth and manhood. Without Athena’s mentorship, Telemachus would either continue to live at the mercy of suitors or would not become a determined, motivated young man. In this example, a leader can see that they should mentor their subordinates and help them achieve personal and professional growth instead of doing all the work themselves. In this respect, good mentorship is an essential leadership aspect since it helps nurture a new generation of leaders capable of serving the organization and its staff.
Finally, the story of Agamemnon told in The Iliad and Agamemnon taught us that a capable leader must remain humble and self-aware. In Agamemnon’s example, one can see that arrogance and vanity pose a great threat both to a leader and his projects. Throughout his journey, Agamemnon’s pride and sense of superiority constantly get the better of him, resulting in one wrong decision after another. The Iliad offers the most notable examples, such as an argument with Achilles that undermined the integrity of the whole Greek army. However, a brief appearance in Agamemnon exemplifies the true extent of the famous warrior king’s arrogance. When Agamemnon returns home with glory and victory, he says to Clytemnestra that setting foot “on rich embroidered silks” is dangerous for a mortal because that will anger the gods (Agamemnon 920-930). However, Agamemnon easily gives in to Clytemnestra’s flattery and goes inside the palace alone, “treading on purple” (Aeschylus, Agamemnon 950-960). Despite his initial claims. Agamemnon believes that his feats in the Trojan War are worthy of the gods. Ultimately, Clytemnestra exploits her husband’s arrogance to lure him into a trap and murder him.
Overall, our group’s revised understanding of leadership includes three key insights from the epic Athenian plays. Most importantly, a leader must pay the utmost attention to the preservation of organizational integrity. All interpersonal conflicts that may emerge must not be turned into a public argument; personal pride and honor must not supersede the common goal. Furthermore, quality leadership is impossible without mentorship since a good mentor improves subordinates, thus making an organization stronger. Finally, good leadership is incompatible with arrogance and vanity because an arrogant and vain leader ultimately loses touch with reality. As a result, their judgment becomes clouded, which increases the probability of grave mistakes. In the end, one should remember that exceptional competence does not automatically turn a person into a leader. As a complex concept, leadership must be constantly practiced and developed. Otherwise, a leader may share the fate of the Greek heroes, excellent warriors, who suffered because they were too proud, stubborn, and arrogant to admit their faults.
Works Cited
Aeschylus. Agamemnon. Translated by Philip Vellacott, Penguin Classics, 2004.
Homer. The Iliad. Translated by Caroline Alexander, Ecco, 2016.
Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Emily Wilson, W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.