Who is Cincinnatus in Your Surroundings?
Story of Cincinnatus is a story of moral and servant leadership. But what does it mean for us in everyday situations? Why we should never settle for lesser leaders, but always seek for the best. Choosing a leader is something we should think and live every day.
Level 5, servant, moral leadership(s)
You have probably heard of terms Level 5 leadership , servant leadership, moral leadership and similar terms addressing less selfish or completely selfless leaders?
If you have not, in short, those types of leadership promote that one should always put the cause and the team in front of her/his own success or own promotions. Notoriously and bluntly, before one’s own ego. Some go even further: that being a servant leader, one should sacrifice her/his oneself for the team and the cause.
Of course, like nothing is black and white, we are always looking into cases where we look at the major threads of such behavior. I am not fan of strict definitions, especially in non-qualitative fields. But if we would have to make a big divide in leadership styles and divide them into two camps: one would be where “the leader” is the central point and the other would be where “the team” is the central point.
Servant leadership from long time ago
But what does that mean for most people, people who are not leaders, but who are looking into leaders or looking for leaders to lead them. People looking whom to work with and whom to work for.
What should one do in that regard? How should one behave in response to such leader’s traits or lack thereof? Should one even try to find such servant leader and why should one try to find such leader?
To try to demonstrate why, allow me to reminiscent one of the first servant leaders in our history. That leader would be Roman consul and dictator Cincinnatus, 2.500 years ago.
Sounds familiar, the name? Yes, city of Cincinnati in Ohio was named actually after Cincinnatus. But why? What does Cincinnatus (a Roman consul from 500 BC, has to do with city in a new modern world). Obviously, it is not some “copy/pasted” city from the “old world” with “New” added to it. This is the first and the only city in the world with his name.
In short, people building new world power, USA, 250 years ago, believed in the values Cincinnatus lived and promoted.
Cincinnatus was a Roman consul and dictator. In Roman republic, government was organized in such way that in peace time, “normal times”, no one had absolute power. In the executive branch of their government, Roman Republic had two consuls. This would be somewhat the equivalent of two presidents or two prime ministers, in today’s terms. However, in the times of war, or other times of emergency, when quick decisions are an imperative, you cannot have such division of powers. It slows down the process too much. But rather, an organization needs a quick, concentrated decision-making process. Hence in the times of war dictatorship would be established. All power would be given to one person: a dictator. But importantly, this was only valid for a limited period of time, only in times of war or other distress.
After being an active member of Roman society, even serving as a Consul, Cincinnatus was expelled, exiled by his society and his peers to faraway farm. Effectively, he was forced to retire to a farm life. Humiliated and destined to a secluded life.
However, sometime after that, war came upon Rome and Romans needed an effective leader to get them out of the trouble. They knew Cincinnatus was a leader with such capabilities. Without hesitation, afraid for the development of situation and their potential perish, Roman elites quickly called Cincinatus to save them. Yes, the very same ones that have exiled him.
So, the situation is that after being exiled and humiliated, from the very same people that are now in fear for their destiny and their lives, Cincinnatus is called by those same people to save them. What does he do? He answers the call and takes the job. He takes the job of a dictator. Literally. He is vested with all the powers and he can do whatever he can. He can take revenge on people who did him harm, he can abuse all the power he wants. But no, he goes to a job of a leader. He secures victory and after his job was done, he simply returns to the farm. He returns to the place, situation and rank where he was before. And he was in this situation twice! Two times he was called upon, vested with all the powers of Rome and each time he did a job of a leader perfectly. He restored the order and peace, and returned to his farm life. He did not take revenge, he did not abuse the power, he did not change any laws and customs of order that would benefit him.
Was Cincinnatus a servant leader?
We can definitely say that Cincinnatus exhibits the traits of true servant leader, because:
- He did not seek benefits for himself
- He did not allow his ego to get in a way of greater good
- Benefit of the citizens (“his team”) was first thing he was worried about
- He understood that him not abusing the system and not taking power for more than he was allowed to, would harm everyone in the long term — he was visionary for the future of greater good
What were the results of his actions?
- His “organization” (Rome) continued to win and thrive for the centuries to come (many others did not, as they fell into the trap of ego and selfishness)
- Leadership style he took upon himself and what he did, turned into legend that inspired many leaders after him, yet ensuring that such leadership style perpetuates. By him doing this, was not only his “organization” successful, but many other after
Even the creation of United States was inspired by his acts, and its first president George Washington was inspired by him — hence the name of city in Ohio: Cincinnati.
What’s in it for me?
One most important thing to pick up from this story is:
Go where Cincinnatus is!
That means that in surroundings where you choose to live, work, volunteer or do anything where you commit yourself, make sure you have someone who exhibits traits that are embodies in the character of Cincinnatus.
That does not have to be “appointed leader”, someone to whom the society or organization has given formal power (title) of leader, that can be any individual that does have influence and input into the organization. The more people like that you have in your surroundings, the better of you will be in the long term.
How to recognize such people?
It cannot be “overnight”. You can not spot such person immediately. Such people are forged and recognized in the times of trouble and in hard times. But throughout the time, look for some of these traits:
- Puts team first in everyday situations, e.g., gives credit takes blame
- Overdelivers — does more than she/he says — for the team, for the company, for the community
- Does not have ego in her/his way — is not blinded by other short term, personal only, gains
- Empowers — does not hoard knowledge, information and power — trys to teach you all there is, not merely skills you need to get done only your part
Conclusion
There are lot of examples of servant leaders around us. But I like the story of Cincinnatus because it has been with us for more than 2.500 years and created so much good. I think we ought to give him credit for what he has done and through his example, try to build better surroundings for ourselves and those around us.
