How Many of These 7 Stoic Traits Do You Have?

What It Covers

Ryan Holiday examines seven character traits found in Stoic leaders throughout history, drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, and other ancient philosophers to illustrate practical leadership principles applicable today.

Key Questions Answered

• •Preparation and aim: Like an archer training for wind and weather conditions, leaders must practice premeditatio malorum by contemplating worst-case scenarios in advance, conducting hard winter training through voluntary hardship, and building defenses during good times to withstand future adversity.
• •Self-correction over criticism: Marcus Aurelius practiced immediate self-reflection when offended by others, turning attention to his own similar failings first. Leaders should be strict with themselves while showing leniency toward others, acting as curators or physicians when correcting team members, never from anger or superiority.
• •Communication discipline: Zeno taught the two-ears-one-mouth ratio for listening versus speaking. Cato only spoke when convinced his words were better than silence. Leaders should remain silent in most meetings, use minimal words when speaking, avoid foul language, and practice frank directness with close relationships.
• •Justice through interconnection: Antipater argued business ethics require full disclosure even when legal minimums allow concealment. Hierocles created concentric circles of concern, urging leaders to treat family as self, friends as family, citizens as friends, expanding outward while maintaining connection between self-interest and common good.