Lead like a legend.
Three leadership rules from Alexander the Great.
You’re in a battlefield. Not with swords. But with codebases, deadlines, and team standups. Stakes are high. A failed project? It could mean lost trust, sleepless nights, even career setbacks.
But what if you could lead like Alexander the Great?
What if his strategies could help you win - not kingdoms, but success in your career?
You don’t have to conquer Persia. But you do have to inspire your team, navigate chaos, and keep the vision alive.
Rule 1: Lead from the Front
Alexander didn’t command from a tent. He rode into battle with his men. Leadership wasn’t a title - it was action.
If you want respect, step into the fire first:
Fix the critical bug that’s blocking progress.
Guide the junior dev struggling with a pull request.
But here’s the twist:
Leading from the front doesn’t mean doing everything yourself. That’s not leadership -it’s a bottleneck.
Alexander trusted his generals. You need to trust your team.
Show them how to fight, then step aside and let them win.
Rule 2: Know Your Soldiers
Alexander knew his men - not just their names, but their strengths and struggles. He didn’t see an army. He saw people.
Do you know your team?
Who thrives under pressure?
Who needs encouragement to grow?
Do you know their goals - or just their sprint tasks?
But here’s the truth:
This isn’t just empathy - it’s strategy. Alexander put his strongest fighters at his enemy’s weakest point.
You can do the same.
Build your team’s skills, place them where they’ll thrive, and watch them succeed.
Rule 3: Keep the Vision Alive
Alexander’s army marched through deserts and mountains, facing impossible odds. They could’ve quit.
But they didn’t. Why? Because he gave them a vision - glory, riches, legacy.
Your team needs the same. When they’re buried in bugs or refactoring chaos, remind them:
This isn’t just code - it’s solving real problems.
This isn’t just a sprint - it’s their career in the making.
But here’s the catch:
It’s not just about the goal. It’s about the journey. Alexander celebrated every win, no matter how small. You can, too.
Recognize progress. Make every step meaningful.
The Final Lesson
Leadership isn’t being the loudest or smartest. It’s being someone your team chooses to follow.
Alexander wasn’t perfect. Neither are you. But if you lead from the front, know your team, and keep the vision alive, you’ll do more than build great software.
You’ll build a team that trusts you. And with trust, you can conquer anything.