We’ve all heard the same truths about mentorship. Find yourself several mentors if you want to be successful. Sports, business, startups, education, you name it.
And while this couldn’t be more true, we typically only look at modern day icons from business leaders and innovators, to athletes, celebrities, and so on.
Why is that? How far back does mentorship and advisors really go? If we know that mentorship and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people is true, does the same apply from a historical context?
Did leaders thousands of years ago employ the same approach to success by choosing influential people in their lives, and if so, what can be learned from their choices?
To answer this, I researched Alexander the Great and I believe he would recommend 3 mentors to conquer your world.
Even Conquerors Had Mentors
Many of you have heard of Alexander the Great, a Macedonian King and one of the greatest conquerors in all of history.
According to several sources, including Wikipedia, “Alexander succeeded his father, Philip II, to the throne at the age of twenty. He spent most of his ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, until by the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to Egypt and into present-day Pakistan.
He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of history’s most successful commanders.”
What you may not know is that Alexander had 3 key role models in his formative years, and I attribute much of his success to all three.
So, who were they?
Alexander’s first mentor was his father, King Philip II of Macedon, who taught him leadership skills.
One of many observed traits by Alexander was Philip’s leadership to unite Macedonia, turn her into the most powerful nation in the Western World and distribute lands to encourage urbanization.
Why is that important? Because Alexander would go on to conquer lands that were inappropriately governed by tyrants, “remove” them from their position, and then give the land back to the people to manage.
King Philip also gave Alexander several tests, all of which he passed with ease. At the age of 13, Philip brought Alexander a horse, so wild and untamable, that it was said nobody could ride him. Alexander took the challenge and all onlookers laughed. He smiled, walked the horse out of the sun, gently guided him in only a way he could figure out and within minutes was riding with him. This horse would go on to become his life long battle partner, winning every war together, and it was Philip who stated to Alexander at such a young age,
O, my son, seek out a kingdom worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is way too little for thee.
His second mentor was Leonidas, who taught him how to be a soldier – One that could fight offensively and defend militarily. Leonidas believed in action over words. He was austere in nature and laconic in his discipline. In other words, he did not believe in the comforts of luxuries and speaking too much, but in keeping things simple, concise, forthright and action-oriented. Talk about execution!
And his third mentor was Aristotle, who was his private tutor for three years, primary correspondent throughout Alexander’s conquests, and taught him philosophy and how to think.
Listen, it’s Aristotle, need I say more.
In summation, Alexander was taught how to be a leader, think through all situations with poise, patience and intellect, devise war strategy, conquer wholly and live humbly.
I’m indebted to my father for living, but to my teachers for living well.
So, what were the results of his mentors? They are as follows . . .
Alexander’s Resume:
338 BC – Alexander WINS his first battle at 18 known as the Battle of Charonea
334 BC – Alexander INVADES the Persian Empire and CONQUERS Baalbek (renames it Heliopolis)
334 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Ephesos and liberates them from Persian Rule
334 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Sardis when they willingly surrender to him.
333 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Sidon
333 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Aleppo
333 BC – Alexander is VICTORIOUS against Darius III of Persia at the battle of Issus.
332 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Syria
332 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Tyre
331 BC – Alexander FOUNDS city of Alexandria at the port town of Rhakotis in Egypt (ß Yes, he found a city or two along the way)
331 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Susa when they surrender without contest
331 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Egypt when they surrender without contest
330 BC – Alexander CONQUERS Bactria and Sogdiana
329 BC – Alexander CONQUERS and destroys Cyropolis
329 BC – Alexander WINS the battle at the Iaxartes river and CONQUERSScythians
327 BC – Alexander MARRIES Roxanne (Any marriage to a strong woman is an outstanding achievement)
327 – 325 BC – Alexander begins CONQUERING Northern India
Advice Fit For a King
If Alexander were alive today, I’m guessing he would give the following advice in choosing your mentors:
#1: Make sure you choose 3: One for Character, One for Strength and One for Spirituality.
#2: Make sure your mentor has previous experience. He/she should have both wins and losses in life.
#3: Make sure your mentor has integrity and values that resonate with you. Alexander valued his father’s character and his teachers’ lessons. He not only adopted them, but used them throughout his reign.
#4: Make sure your mentor is confident, yet humble. They should be smart and know they have value, but are constantly building and creating. Hence, they too keep mentors in order to stay humble and growing.
#5: Make sure you interview several mentors. You must always make sure to have the right people around you. The better Alexander became, the more alert he became with the people around him. Some of his fellow Macedonians were said to have been linked to his demise.
Do you have a preferred method for choosing a mentor? Please feel free to share below.
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Picture in Header Graphic: Georgi Licovski/EPA
