I, Claudius: Leadership Lessons from an Unlikely Emperor
Introduction
In the annals of Roman history, Emperor Claudius stands out as one of the most unlikely rulers. Considered weak, timid, and an unlikely candidate for power, he was often overlooked and even mocked by his own family. Yet, despite all odds, Claudius became emperor and ruled successfully for over a decade.
Do we find leaders like Claudius in today’s corporate environments? Of course we do.
Many times, in our organizations, leaders often emerge from unexpected places. Like Claudius, they may not be the obvious choice, but their unique strengths can lead to great success. Sometimes even “unexpected” choices are better than the “obvious” choices.
In this article we explore the leadership style of Claudius, its pros and cons, and how it can be applied to modern corporate leadership.
The Unexpected Leader: Rising to Power Against the Odds
Claudius was seen as weak and unfit for leadership because of his physical ailments and perceived timidity. However, these very traits allowed him to survive the brutal politics of the Roman Empire. When others were vying for power, Claudius was often ignored, which helped him escape the fate of many of his family members who were assassinated.
Pros in being like Claudius today: sometimes, the less obvious choice can be the most effective leader. Claudius’ survival and eventual rise to power show that perceived weaknesses can actually be strengths. In a corporate setting, leaders who don’t fit the traditional mold might have a fresh perspective, avoid overexposure, and excel by being underestimated. Like Claudius became leader after one of the most horrific emperors in the Roman Empire (Caligula), sometimes today in times of corporate crisis we need someone like Claudius.
Cons: The lack of obvious authority might mean it takes longer for such leaders to gain respect and authority, and they may need to work harder to prove themselves. Will they have enough time to show their strength and “shed off” all of the “Caligula’s” of the past?
Too often, today we fall in the trap of “promoting to the level of incompetence”. We promote “obvious” choices, team members that are good in their (most often “expert” roles) present roles to leadership roles. And it often backfires. In the case of Claudius, we have the opposite — so maybe we need to try that more often?
Humility and Adaptability: Claudius’ Strengths as a Leader
Once in power, Claudius embraced a humble and adaptable leadership style. Unlike his predecessors, he avoided excessive displays of power. He was willing to delegate authority to capable advisors and sought counsel from a wide range of people, including freedmen (former slaves). This made his administration more inclusive and adaptive.
Pros in this leadership style, style of leaders who listen and adapt to the changing environment can make informed, well-rounded decisions. Claudius’ willingness to delegate showed trust in his team is a critical component of modern leadership. By empowering others, he ensured more efficient governance.
Again, in the situations after crisis, sometimes decisions need to be swift and based on one’s decisiveness and “tough character” traits, delegating authority can sometimes lead to lack of control and overreliance on advisors, which might weaken a leader’s position if the advisors are not trustworthy. This was evident when some of Claudius’ closest advisors exploited their positions for personal gain.
Continuous meetings with “asking everyone” can often “block” the system, and even worse empower the “bad forces” of the past to regain control and maintain the bad culture of previous times (times of crisis).
“If you want to make the wrong decision, ask everyone” Naval Ravikant
Outsider Perspective: Turning Weakness into Strength
Because he was often excluded from political life, Claudius had the advantage of observing from the sidelines. This outsider perspective allowed him to see things that others missed and avoid the mistakes of his predecessors. He became knowledgeable about Roman law, history, and politics, which helped him implement reforms once he became emperor.
Pros of leaders who are not part of the typical inner circle is that they can bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table. They see things that those deeply entrenched in the system might miss. This “outsider” mindset can lead to bold and effective changes that disrupt the status quo.
Being an outsider can also mean facing resistance from established members, who may view the leader’s unconventional approach with suspicion or outright hostility. Navigating internal politics might be challenging.
Being in different industries, I was often in the “outsider” situation. In such cases it is important to be very agile and learn fast about new industries. But also, never take for granted “expert matter” things, as they can be, too often, “we are doing this as it has been done always” like that type of approach.
Pragmatic Reforms: Claudius’ Approach to Governance
Claudius focused on practical reforms to stabilize and strengthen the Roman Empire. He built new infrastructure, expanded the empire’s borders, and made improvements to the judicial system. He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective. His focus was on tangible, practical changes that directly impacted the lives of his subjects.
Pros of the leaders who focus on pragmatic, actionable goals can build credibility and achieve real success. Claudius’ approach shows that flashy, dramatic changes aren’t always necessary; sometimes, incremental improvements can make the biggest difference.
On the other (negative) side purely pragmatic approach might lack vision, which can lead to missed opportunities for more significant, transformative change. Claudius was seen as cautious, and this sometimes made him vulnerable to manipulation by those who wanted to pursue more aggressive agendas.
In restructuring efforts both approached are needed: “The Claudius” one (with many visible yet concrete and actionable points), but once that is accomplished, the new vision has to be shared to the team and more “strategic” and sometimes even perceived as “fluffy” stuff has to be cascaded through the ranks.
Navigating Internal Politics: Learning from Claudius’ Pitfalls
Claudius faced significant challenges with internal politics. Although he managed to rise to power, his reign was not without turmoil. Many of his closest advisors and even his wives plotted against him, and he was ultimately assassinated.
Pros in being strategically aware of internal politics is vital for any leader. We can strive to create a transparent “non-political” culture, but that is more often than not, impossible. Hence, we have to understand who wields influence and power within an organization and this can help us navigate the corporate landscape.
However, over-reliance on political alliances can lead to betrayal. Claudius’ fate shows that even the most well-intentioned leader can fall victim to the scheming of those closest to them. In the corporate world, this highlights the risk of not diversifying your inner circle and relying on a few key figures for support.
”Power and politics” in any team dynamics (no matter how larger or small team is) is something that exists and/or appears from time to time. It is important to understand these dynamics. Too often those terms (“Power and Politics”) are perceived as “evil” — but they don’t have to be. These are simply forces that exists, tools, and like any tools can be used for either good or evil.
Conclusion: Lessons from Claudius for Corporate Leaders
Claudius’ leadership was a blend of humility, adaptability, pragmatism, and strategic awareness. Though he was not the most obvious choice to lead, he turned his perceived weaknesses into strengths, successfully guiding the Roman Empire through a complex period. For modern corporate leaders, there are valuable lessons to be learned from his reign:
- Embrace adaptability and humility. Sometimes, the best leaders aren’t the most obvious ones.
- Leverage the outsider’s perspective to see what others might miss.
- Focus on practical, tangible goals, but don’t forget to keep an eye on the big picture.
- Be aware of internal politics, but don’t let it consume your leadership.
Leading like Claudius means understanding that leadership is not about being the strongest or the loudest. It’s about resilience, observation, and strategy — and sometimes, that’s exactly what a company in need of transformation requires.
