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Aristotle’s Laws of Leadership

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Aristotle's laws of leadership

Along with his older buddy Plato, Aristotle founded the western philosophical traditions that later combined with Christianity to form the basis of all western civilisation.

Aristotle's influence is still felt today in the teaching of
- Politics
- Ethics
- Law
- Literary criticism
- Taxonomy
- Logic
- His physics was influential (but wrong)

One of his students, a little chap called Alex, learned so much from Aristotle that he was able to take over and dominate the whole world.
We now call that little chap "Alexander the Great".
It seems that Aristotle was able to teach Alex some good material.
So now, let us have a look....and maybe in a few years, we might be running the show!

Here are two wonderful Aristotelian ideas that you may like to ponder.

They are:

1. The Golden Mean


and

2. The Law of Excluded Middle



We will analyse them, one at a time

The Golden Mean

The Law of the Golden mean states that "THE GOOD" is often to be found between two extremes.

To explain: You can have things in one of three amounts:
1. An excess- too much
2. An optimum - the right amount
3. A deficiency - not enough

So, in relation to food

How much food should you eat at the party?

Aristotle would say "Consume only THE MEAN amount: Don't overeat and stuff yourself; don't brag about being on a diet and eat nothing; Eat a moderate amount and then stop"


In relation to Money

How much money should you spend?

Aristotle would say "Don't spend all your money! But don't be a miser and spend none. Be prudent and spend a moderate amount. Then stop"



In relation to work

How much time should you spend working?

Aristotle would say "Don't spend all your time working; and don't be lazy: work a reasonable amount every day. Then stop"

Aristotle's idea was:

MODERATION in all things.

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Looking at the same point in another way:

Error is to be found in extremes

Aristotle would say "Avoid extremes!"
Avoid extremes in:
  1. The consumption of Food
  2. Sex
  3. Spending
  4. Saving
  5. High emotions (anger, excitement)
  6. Thrill seeking
  7. Exercise
He would say "In many situations there is "the middle ground" that you should find: For example, in disputes between people, find the middle ground, a GOLDEN MEAN compromise"
The Golden mean says that "THE MIDDLE GROUND IS GOOD"
SIMPLE!
BUT interestingly, Aristotle's second idea is this: "There must be NO middle ground!"

The second idea "The law of Excluded middle"

Aristotle also wrote about the "Law of Excluded middle" which says, there must be NO middle ground.

This idea states:
There are certain circumstances, where upon, once you have set your terms, everything is either
  • within that category
or
  • NOT within that category

There is NO MIDDLE ground"

The law of excluded middle is a REJECTION of a GOLDEN MEAN compromise.
Excluded middle says "It is what it is, with NO COMPROMISE!"

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Examples of the Excluded Middle

How often would you say the other person should cheat on his wife?
  1. Every day?
  2. A reasonable amount according to the golden mean?
  3. Or never
Of course the answer is "Never!"
Can't we compromise?
She says: NO!

How much would you say the other person should steal from your business?
  1. All he can?
  2. A reasonable amount according to the golden mean?
  3. Or none!
Of course the answer is "NONE"
Can't we compromise?
Answer: NO

How much would you say the other person should be allowed to swear at his colleagues when in a bad mood?
  1. All he likes?
  2. A reasonable amount according to the golden mean?
  3. Or none!
NONE- with NO compromise!

The law of Excluded middle is:

the law of NO compromise

Now Come Three Fascinating Questions

Question one

What would happen to the leader who failed to compromise in situations when he-she should have given some ground?


Question two

What would happen to the leader who keeps giving ground in situations where he -she should hold firm?


Question three

Upon which issues should you apply the principle of "the Golden mean" -and give ground ?
And upon which issues should you apply the principle of the Excluded middle - and NOT give any ground ?

Here is my answer to the dilemma


  1. You should apply Excluded middle to your Principles.

  2. And the Golden mean should be applied to specific cases within any given principle

To explain:

Example 1
In this organisation, there is a NO COMPROMISE policy with reference to stealing
NO stealing allowed. NO compromise given.
If you want something, you must pay for it.
But on the PRICE paid.....NOW we might compromise!

Example 2
There is a NO COMPROMISE policy with reference to laziness
NO doing nothing!
If you want something, you must earn it.
But on the wages paid per hour, NOW we might compromise.

In other words

Here is my advice on how to apply Aristotle's two competing ideas

  1. Apply Excluded middle to your principles

  2. NEVER compromise on your principles

  3. Figure out what you stand for and fight for your principles without compromise

  4. Then within the framework of principles, find the golden mean on the specific issues

Remember:

If you compromise your principles; you lose your soul!

Like this Lens?

Give me feedback

  • onlinemba May 12, 2011 @ 10:24 pm | delete
    Thanks for sharing such fruitful information
  • jasonweb20 Oct 14, 2009 @ 5:05 pm | delete
    i never knew about Aristotle's but now iam... thanks for the great lens on Aristotle's Laws of Leadership ... :)
  • pepys Oct 14, 2009 @ 9:57 am | delete
    The differences between the two apparent conflicting points (the golden mean an the excluded middle) are clarified here very well. Sometimes you find yourself reacting as if pre- programmed - taking it from there, what I am trying to say is that by keeping these two points clear in my mind -things should flow.
  • Vijudallon Oct 14, 2009 @ 4:57 am | delete
    Your lens is very informative as well as persuasive! The moderation in your style of writing proves you follow the Aristotle's Laws of Leadership . Being at extremes is very harmful because we as human beings are creatures who are stable, so navigating to the extremes would show and imply great loss of stability. Nice.
  • Randal-d Oct 13, 2009 @ 10:01 am | delete
    I often think that in a capitalistic society the 'excluded middle' is often compromised for materialistic gains. Don't get me wrong, you have to be shrewd and savvy in any competition, but sometimes people are willing to give way on their principles and morals for money and wealth. I agree with Aristotle in terms of your core principles should never be compromised, no matter the price offered.
  • dealingwithstress Oct 13, 2009 @ 8:40 am | delete
    Hi Chris
    Another great lens and educating content. It is amazing that Aristotle got it so right in this instance and totally relevant to today. We live in a world of blurred principles and bendy rules so perhaps we should make people more aware of Aristotle's Laws of Leadership.
  • SisterD Oct 12, 2009 @ 4:21 pm | delete
    I think Aristotle leadership principles are timeless. My favorite here is that the good is often found between two extremes. This applies to every area of life and is a good checks and balances approach to living and managing.
  • chris farmer Oct 12, 2009 @ 5:53 am | in reply to cgoulart | delete
    thank you for your kind comment on the aristotle lleadership lense
  • cgoulart Oct 10, 2009 @ 1:28 pm | delete
    This is great, most people today could take a cue from what Aristotle says. There is a good reason his ideas have stood the test of time, and a good reason why they are as pertinent today as they were long ago. Good job on this lens, truly a delight to read!
  • howel Oct 10, 2009 @ 11:00 am | delete
    Chris, this is a very well thought out and presented view and practical application of the Aristotelian principles you mentioned. They are, or should be, applied to all circumstances. This would include individual, roup and of course for work related environments. One very important point is that the no "compromise" principle, which as you explain relates to principles, is many times unstated and undefined and therefore impossible to apply - and that is a recipe for trouble.
  • howel Oct 10, 2009 @ 11:00 am | delete
    Chris, this is a very well thought out and presented view and practical application of the Aristotelian principles you mentioned. They are, or should be, applied to all circumstances. This would include individual, roup and of course for work related environments. One very important point is that the no "compromise" principle, which as you explain relates to principles, is many times unstated and undefined and therefore impossible to apply - and that is a recipe for trouble.
  • healthgal Oct 9, 2009 @ 12:20 pm | delete
    You've provided a great perspective on leadership here. I love how you compared Aristotle's principles of the golden mean and excluded middle to leadership within an organization. It helps break down leadership or the type a leader you would strive to be into simple terms we can all understand and appreciate.
  • monicadunbar Oct 9, 2009 @ 11:41 am | delete
    You've got a great lens here - you've managed to take something I always thought was over my head (in this case, philisophy from the ancient Greeks) and make it simple and easy to understand. Aristotle's ideas make a lot of sense when you explain it like this - I'm going to be writing some of this down and sticking it on post-it notes around my monitor.
  • bohns Oct 8, 2009 @ 5:27 pm | delete
    I've read quite a few of your lens and they really are based on good solid information. Who better to take advice from than those such as Aristotle who is believed to be one of the greatest thinkers of all time. I mean this guy was even contemplating the idea that the world is made of atoms and this was long before they had any instruments to either prove the fact or even give them an idea that this was so. Never compromise in your principles, never a truer word spoken.
  • MelMelTay Oct 8, 2009 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    Great Lens! I always found the Golden Mean and Excluded Middle to contradict each other, so I was glad that you helped me understand it a little better. Principles should never be compromised! :) Thanks so much!
  • redondo Oct 8, 2009 @ 12:38 pm | delete
    This lens is a great read. Very interesting, and really got me to think! I'm going to attempt to follow some of the laws mentioned above to help manage my employees.
  • Yahoo-Web-Hosting Oct 8, 2009 @ 11:00 am | delete
    Aristotle did find the western philosophical traditions and I believe he has it right with moderation. Sometimes I feel that many people in this country thrive on excessiveness. So in this regard, I agree with Aristotle
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Corporate Coach Group

Chris is the leader of The Corporate Coach Group.

The Corporate Coach Group is a training company whose purpose is:

"The presentation of a system that describes successful action to anyone in a management/leadership role, together with the complementary skills necessary to put the theory into practice."

We draw the "system" from five sources:

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