Synthesis Essay – Julius Caesar
MSgt Frederick E. Stevenson
Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Introduction Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Rome wasn’t built in one day’? I’m pretty sure you have. In fact, it took decades for the Roman empire to become the historic civilization we’ve read in books or watched in a documentary. The empire didn’t just sprout out of nowhere, it’s expansion to a super power of the time was cultivated by the idea and concepts of a leader. That leader was Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar made him mark on history as Rome’s greatest leader and I would agree that he was a very inspirational and visionary leader. Although he had those great traits of a leader, he also possessed some bad ones. In …show more content…
The Ethical Leadership module of our course explains that ethical traps are created when people are uncertain how to behave or respond to a situation. Julius Caesar fell into the ethical trap of “Drive for Success”. This trap is created when a leader peruses their goal for success at all costs and Caesar demonstrated this during many of his campaigns. On one occasion, according to Adrian Goldsworthy, Caesar ordered his men to cut off the hands of poisoners before he set them free. This was to ensure they couldn’t rise against him and fight again, guaranteeing success. Also, to pave his way to the top, Caesar married into powerful families. Fowler mentions in his book that Caesar’s two wives were both daughters of political heads or figures. Caesar also had a relationship with Cleopatra of Egypt, helped her kill her brother/husband, fathered a child with her, just to gain control of Egypt. This coupled with other political endeavors, led to conspiracy, civil war, and Caesar’s …show more content…
I can definitely relate to him leading his troops with inspirational motivation. I use this technique well in my organization. For example, while deployed I have to inspire and motive my troops to work under harsh conditions. It could be extreme heat or torrential downs pours, my technicians complete their tasks no matter what. I think I inspire them because I’m always out there with them in the same conditions, leading from the front. If my troops can’t see that I’m willing to suffer through thick and thin, I will definitely lose credibility and trust as their leader. They would want to do any work or the quality of their work will suffer. I must continue to use inspirational motivation when leading my
MSgt Frederick E. Stevenson
Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Introduction Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Rome wasn’t built in one day’? I’m pretty sure you have. In fact, it took decades for the Roman empire to become the historic civilization we’ve read in books or watched in a documentary. The empire didn’t just sprout out of nowhere, it’s expansion to a super power of the time was cultivated by the idea and concepts of a leader. That leader was Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar made him mark on history as Rome’s greatest leader and I would agree that he was a very inspirational and visionary leader. Although he had those great traits of a leader, he also possessed some bad ones. In …show more content…
The Ethical Leadership module of our course explains that ethical traps are created when people are uncertain how to behave or respond to a situation. Julius Caesar fell into the ethical trap of “Drive for Success”. This trap is created when a leader peruses their goal for success at all costs and Caesar demonstrated this during many of his campaigns. On one occasion, according to Adrian Goldsworthy, Caesar ordered his men to cut off the hands of poisoners before he set them free. This was to ensure they couldn’t rise against him and fight again, guaranteeing success. Also, to pave his way to the top, Caesar married into powerful families. Fowler mentions in his book that Caesar’s two wives were both daughters of political heads or figures. Caesar also had a relationship with Cleopatra of Egypt, helped her kill her brother/husband, fathered a child with her, just to gain control of Egypt. This coupled with other political endeavors, led to conspiracy, civil war, and Caesar’s …show more content…
I can definitely relate to him leading his troops with inspirational motivation. I use this technique well in my organization. For example, while deployed I have to inspire and motive my troops to work under harsh conditions. It could be extreme heat or torrential downs pours, my technicians complete their tasks no matter what. I think I inspire them because I’m always out there with them in the same conditions, leading from the front. If my troops can’t see that I’m willing to suffer through thick and thin, I will definitely lose credibility and trust as their leader. They would want to do any work or the quality of their work will suffer. I must continue to use inspirational motivation when leading my