The Best Manager Is Also A Philosopher
In the halls of ancient Rome, where togas were fashionable and marble statues lined every corner, an extraordinary encounter unfolded between Claudius Galenus, (also known as Galen) one of the first prominent doctors in the first century, and Marcus Aurelius, the mighty Roman Emperor.
When Marcus Aurelius fell ill with a grave throat infection, Galen, known for his unparalleled medical expertise, proposed a surgical intervention to cure him. However, The Emperor hesitated, fearing the risks involved. Unfazed, Galen devised a clever strategy, presenting Marcus Aurelius with two choices — the safer yet less effective option or the riskier surgical procedure. By appealing to the stoic emperor’s sense of duty and leadership, Galen convinced him to choose the riskier option, ultimately saving his life.
Now, attending to the personal health of the Roman Emperor was undoubtedly a daring task if you ask me. On top of that, Galen achieved remarkable feats and made significant contributions to the field of medicine that would make even Hercules proud.
As someone without a medical background, I found myself inexplicably drawn to his writings, particularly one that stood out to me was:
It is fascinating to consider the notion that philosophy can greatly enhance the practice of medicine, and its relevance extends beyond the ancient world. In fact, one could argue that philosophy has valuable implications for the modern-day role of People Managers.
(Hellenistic) Philosophy was famous for digging deep into the realms of Logic, Ethics, and Physics. But fear not, we won’t get too technical about atoms and heavenly movements. Instead, let’s zoom in on the first two aspects to see how they relate to our everyday lives as people managers.
On Logic
As managers, we frequently fall to the tendency of quickly devising action plans and drawing conclusions based on isolated incidents that deviate from the norm. This inclination to prescribe expedited solutions immediately after encountering a problem, however, often overlooks the underlying root cause. Unraveling the complexities of an issue demands a deliberate and rational approach that involves effort, time, and resources to analyze multiple perspectives.
Unfortunately, this ancient practice of thoughtful debate and logical thinking is all too often sacrificed in the pursuit of appeasing the productivity gods, opting for “good enough” resolutions to swiftly move on to the next challenge.
As managers, if we can make out the time for this exploratory moment, we may find ourselves closer to embodying the essence of philosophy. By delving into the questions that drive the sequence of events, uncovering the interconnectedness between thoughts and actions, we can find correlations and gain a deeper understanding of the situation at hand.
On Ethics
As people managers, how can we expect to effectively guide our teams if we cannot restrain ourselves from making inappropriate comments about work or deliverables from others? How can we set an example if we become desperate in the face of repeated project failures? How can we foster a high-performing team if we don’t create safe spaces for individuals to embrace new challenges outside their comfort zones? And how can we be perceived as true leaders if we shy away from taking risks and embracing the possibility of failure?
Philosophers have always strived to understand and embody virtues such as prudence, patience, temperance, and courage by actively practicing them in every circumstance that life presents. They recognize that to become virtuous leaders, one must lead by example, internalizing these virtues and breathing life into them. We do not aspire to be mere sophists, speaking grandly but failing to translate words into action. Instead, we should strive to become philosophers who initiate daily improvements. Let us be the managers who embody the virtues of philosophy, forging a path towards becoming true leaders in our respective domains.
This is why the best manager is also a philosopher.
