Thousands of books have been written about leadership. Despite reading many leadership books and attending corporate leadership classes, nothing compares to experiencing it firsthand. As a teenager, my dad mentioned that genuine leaders are rare, a sentiment that didn’t fully resonate with me at the time. However, after three decades in the workforce, I have come to the same realization. Exceptional leadership is uncommon but it’s achievable. 

You don’t need a title to lead—parents, workers, friends can show leaderhsip, often quietly. The Stoics tied leadership to character. From them and experience, I built CARE: Courage, Accountability, Right Thing, Empathy/Equanimity—my Stoic-inspired take.

C = Courage 

Courage plays a crucial role in leadership. It is essential to confront challenging and uncomfortable situations with sincerity and determination. Crucial conversations, especially when emotions run high and the stakes are significant, reveal this virtue. For instance, at work, one may need to give a performance review with both empathy and honesty, maintaining the relationship. Similarly, addressing a friend's or family member’s addiction issue requires approaching the situation with compassion. These conversations demand courage and a firm stance to potentially save a life. 

A = Accountability 

Beyond owning your actions, leaders must also choose them wisely. As a leader, it is crucial to take responsibility for your actions, especially when they affect others. Accountability is a fundamental characteristic of leadership because it helps individuals understand the influence of their actions on others. The Stoic principle of temperance or self-discipline is further reinforced by accountability. For example, in a small company that I worked for, the CEO sometimes gave feedback on our business meeting expenses, since he was obviously accountable to the Board of Directors for the company’s fiscal fitness. This was important, as the company was not yet generating revenue. Accountability acts as a safeguard, preventing one from engaging in excessive behaviours such as extravagant meetings or reacting angrily towards employees. Understand your impact on others while managing your impulses.  

‘Take the treatise On Motivation and see how thoroughly I've read it.’ That's not what I'm seeking to know, slave, but how you're exercising your motives to act and not to act, and how you're managing your desires and aversions, and how you're approaching all of this, and how you're applying yourself to it... - Epictetus, Discourses, 1.4.14

R = Do the right thing 

Being a leader requires making many decisions frequently. It’s not always easy to determine if you’re on the right path but the best way is relying on your training, experience, and intuition. Ensure you get input from others so you’re not operating on an island. Doubt may linger, but the key is to avoid being paralyzed by fear of making mistakes. This is where Stoic values like justice and wisdom play a crucial role. Wisdom often arises from learning from mistakes. Justice entails making decisions impartially, considering the well-being of all involved. It may not please everyone, but it ensures fairness and integrity. Upholding justice reminds me of the importance of keeping my word, whether it involves attending a friend’s event or my children’s school function. Reflecting on experiences helps me appreciate the impact of broken promises. 

If it is not right, do not do it; if it is not true, do not say it. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 12.17

E = Empathy and equanimity 

As a leader, it is important to lead with empathy. This means acknowledging the efforts and achievements of others, as well as being mindful of the challenges they may face and the emotions that come with them. Focusing on others, not yourself, preserves morale and trust. Truly listen to others, versus coming with your agenda. People can smell agendas a mile away!  For instance, I was involved in various change initiatives at work, where considering the team’s perspective was key to success during transitions.

Another important aspect of leadership is equanimity, which involves remaining calm during chaotic situations or when mistakes happen. I have witnessed leaders losing their composure, which only instills fear and discourages others from taking risks. Whether in a professional or personal setting, displaying temper tantrums is counterproductive for a leader. Stoics understood the importance of maintaining composure, especially in situations where unexpected events could occur.  Leaders who fail to stay rational may put those around them at risk, or make employees (or your loved ones) constantly operate from a place of fear.

Imagine that nature is saying to us: 

Those things of which you complain are the same for all. I cannot give anything easier to any man, but whoever wishes will make things easier for himself. In what way? By equanimity. - Seneca, Moral Letters, 91.18

CARE fuses Stoic wisdom with leadership. Leaders lift others through empathy, shaping trust with character—not mere tasks. It’s inspiring via courage, accountability, justice, and calm, reflecting timeless virtue. 

Virtue is the only art of leading— Virtus est sola ars ducendi.

Glenn Citerony is an Executive Wellness Coach who employs Stoic concepts to help improve people’s lives. He is passionate about Stoicism and its relevance to addressing today’s challenges. Glenn can be reached at glennciterony.com.

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