What Today’s Leaders Can Learn From Ancient China’s Greatest Leaders (The Countdown to the GOAT)

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Episode 26 • 23rd January 2025 • The Mammoth in the Room • Nicolas Pokorny, PhD, MBA

00:00:00 00:14:37

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In today’s episode, I take you on a journey into the dynastic era of ancient China, uncovering the leadership strategies of its most remarkable figures. From adaptability to moral integrity, we explore how these timeless principles still resonate in modern organizations. Trust me, the lessons, including what NOT to do, are as relevant now as they were thousands of years ago.

I rank the top five leaders of ancient China, delving into their achievements, failures, and the transformative power of their strategies.

The episode isn’t just about history; it’s a roadmap for navigating today’s leadership challenges. I connect the dots between evolutionary psychology, leadership science, and the traits that define great leaders. So, stick with me until the end because my pick for the greatest leader of ancient China might surprise you.

In this episode:

- Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty

- Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty

- Qin Shi Huang of the Qin Dynasty

- Confucius of Zhou Dynasty

- Wu Zetian of Tang Dynasty

- Leadership lessons from ancient China

Grab your copy of Nicolas' book, The Mammoth in the Room, here: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

China’s Cosmopolitan Empire: The Tang Dynasty (History of Imperial China) by Mark Edward Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0674064011

Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-Hsi by Jonathan Spence: https://www.amazon.com/dp/067972074X

Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor of China by Frances Wood: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1846680417