We know the saying, “People quit bosses, not companies.” It’s true. I’ve seen it firsthand. I was the boss people wanted to quit.

I wasn’t always a good leader. In fact, I was terrible at it. I was the leader who micro-managed every little thing, micromanaged my team, and never let anyone make a decision without consulting me first.

It took me a while to realize that my leadership style was causing more problems than it was solving. But once I did, I decided to make a change. I started reading about different leadership styles and philosophies and stumbled upon Stoicism.

When I think about the virtues I want to see in a leader, four virtues from Stoic philosophy come to mind: courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. For me, these are the most important virtues because they help create a leader who is level-headed, fair, and can make tough decisions.

1. Courage

I want my leaders to have the courage to stand up for what they believe in and what is right, even when it is difficult. In today’s political landscape, it is easy for leaders to give in to what is popular or will benefit them politically. I want my leaders to be able to resist those temptations and instead do what is best for the people they represent. For example, a leader with courage would be willing to stand up to the execs when they feel he is wrong, even if it means risking their own career.

A courageous leader is also willing to take risks when necessary. For example, they may be willing to propose a new idea that could benefit the company even if it is risky. Or, they may be willing to speak out against something wrong, even if it is unpopular. This type of leader is not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, regardless of the consequences.

Peter Thiel said, “Brilliant thinking is rare, but courage is in even shorter supply than genius.” I couldn’t agree more. I want my leaders to have the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

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2. Wisdom

I want my leaders to be wise so that they can make sound decisions. In our fast-paced world, there are often many different options and paths that a leader can take. I want my leaders to take the time to consider all options and make decisions based on what will ultimately lead to the best outcome.

Wise leaders can make better decisions because they take the time to consider all the options. They aren’t swayed by emotion or popular opinion but rather make decisions based on what is best for everyone involved. This type of leadership is much needed in our world today.

When leaders are faced with difficult decisions, they need to be able to see the situation from all sides and make a decision based on what is best for everyone involved, not just what is best for themselves. With wisdom, leaders can make sound decisions that will benefit themselves and the people they lead.

3. Justice

Justice is one of the most important things to me. I want my leaders to be just so that everyone is treated fairly. Leaders have a lot of power and influence, and I want them to use that power to create an environment where everyone is given an equal opportunity to succeed. No one should be left behind because of their race, gender, or socio-economic background. This also means that leaders should be willing to hold people accountable when they break the law or act in an unethical manner.

I believe that justice is not only about treating everyone fairly but also about ensuring everyone has the same opportunities. This means that leaders need to be proactive in creating policies and programs that help marginalized groups. They also need to be willing to listen to the voices of these groups and make changes when necessary. We live in a society where inequality is still a major issue, and I believe justice is the key to solving this problem.

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4. Temperance

I want my leader to have temperance so that they can maintain self-control in difficult situations. A leader who can keep a level head under pressure is a leader who I can trust. When things are going well, it is easy to make rash decisions, but it is in the tough times that a leader’s true character shines through. For instance, a leader with temperance would be someone who is willing to listen to different points of view before making a decision, even if that means taking more time to reach a decision.

A leader with temperance knows how to take things one step at a time and is not easily swayed by emotion. This can be crucial in times of conflict because it allows the leader to stay focused on the task at hand and make rational decisions. Furthermore, a leader with temperance is able to keep their emotions in check, which can be helpful when making difficult decisions that may not have a clear right or wrong answer.

These are the four virtues that I look for in a leader: courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. To me, these virtues are essential in creating a leader who can navigate difficult situations while maintaining fairness and self-control. What virtues do you look for in a leader?

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