ACTiViSM = I Stand up. I go First
Our Leadership Weekly Notes have previously covered the principle that Influential Leaders are defined by their ACTIVISM.
It needs revisiting.
This week’s Note reflects on the concept, and the principle, of leadership activism through a moment in the life and times of the most successful slave revolt in Roman history—the Third Servile War, marshalled by the gladiator Spartacus.
We have met him before in our Alpha Programme material too.
There are many stories about Spartacus and the revolt of his fellow slaves. Like all history, each story weaves its own thread. Somewhere in the tapestry the truth may reside.
Our activism refresher is extracted from a movie by Stanley Kubrick (1960), based on a book by Howard Fast (1951) titled simply, Spartacus.
It is one of the final scenes in the movie that reflects on an angle of leadership activism required of anyone who chooses to be an influential leader.[i]
Watch a video clip of the scene (1:27):
So, while there are many facets to being a leadership activist, let us concentrate on just two on this occasion.
They come via the two i’s in the word ACTiViSM:
- I stand up.
- I go first.
The members of defeated Slave Army were offered their Slave lives back, if they identified Spartacus—dead or alive.
Failing that, they would all be crucified.
Spartacus begins to rise, but before he is standing a comrade at his side rises quickly and yells, ‘I am Spartacus!’
Then another, and another, till they all share the same name.
The six thousand ex-Slaves were crucified along the Appian Way.
People who choose to practice Influential Leadership stand up and go first, no matter what the implications might be.
Yes, there is often a so-called cost to leading—not physical crucifixion any longer, but other forms of economic and social pressures.
However, I want to highlight the rewards side.
When Spartacus and the thousands of slaves shed their slavery, they became free people.
When the remnants of their Free Army decided to stand up and go first, they actually chose to be free even on their crosses, rather than slaves.
There is the reward, greater than the cost.
Don’t focus on the cost of leading, concentrate on the benefit, the reward.
If you make the cost your focal point, you will be the first to point at him and say, ‘Here is Spartacus!’
Treat each leadership moment as an opportunity to benefit—for yourself, those at your side and further downstream.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
Influential Leaders Stand up, Go first!
[i] As always with Influential Leadership, we use situations and examples to illustrate various leadership behaviours and dynamics, which might include historical people. These examples do not necessarily endorse or suggest that these persons were or were not influential leaders. We generally apply the principle of the situation, unless specifically stating that we have applied the Influential Leadership audit test to the incident, and it has passed muster (or not).
Leadership Weekly Note: 3923. 250923
e: colind@karoo.world
Follow The Karoo Influential Leadership on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KarooInfluentialLeadership
