Why today’s business leaders are turning to a 2,000-year-old philosophy

In an era determined by volatility, the question that faces today’s leaders is not if the Earth will change under it, but when. Mobility that uncertainty requires more than strategy and insight; It requires flexibility, clarity and internal discipline. For the Oxford University business professor Katkikk Ramana, the author of a book on leadership through uncertainty, this mentality is formed in an old but increasingly relevant framework: Stoic.
Once he finds the field of Hellenistic statesmen such as Marcus Aurelius and Senica, the stoician now finds a renewed link in the administration rooms and Suites, according to Ramana. In fact, the founder of Twitter Jack Dorsi, the investment capitalist Brad Field, and the former CEO of Judddi, Blake Erfing, is among his modern followers. But as Ramana confirms, the wonderful leadership is far from negative separation. It provides a disciplined way to stay on the ground, focusing on what can be controlled and making initial decisions amid chaos.
In its essence, restraint is from the heroes of the parking, flexibility, and rationality-not to suppress the emotion, but to act with intent and integrity. Leaders cannot control geopolitical turmoil, economic courses, or any other political dispute. But they are He can Control their response. In business, this means maintaining the sidewalk under pressure, choosing ethics on benefits, and maintaining clarity when the risks are high.
Ramana urges executives to act less like firefighters and more like firefighters, triple crises, resource concentration, and know the fire you should let. But this type of restraint comes inevitably at a cost: not everyone will be happy.
“The management of the organization does not try at this moment of polarization as if it were a popular competition. Take the difficult decisions,” he says.
This also means mastering the art of escalation. This begins by building reliable communication systems for people who can cut noise, pressure test ideas and science issues before you can. The goal is not just controlling damage. It is awaited.
This kind of great philosophy has long led some of the most integrated business leaders, such as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett, whose leadership depends on humility and focus in the long and simplicity. In the past, executives have advised to avoid non -fatal mistakes, ignore noise, and survival focus unabated on integrity and the customer.
Jim Weber, former CEO Jim Weber, remembers the same advice during the recession in European sales led by currency fluctuations. Buffett told him that he ignores what cannot be controlled and focus on the customer instead.
Ramana believes that this mentality is the essence of the wonderful leadership. It is related to understanding what deserves attention and what can be left alone.
This clarity will not eliminate the conflict. But by driving with stoicism, Ramana says, leaders can face crises early and purpose rather than responding to an impulsive manner.
This story was originally shown on Fortune.com
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2025-05-07 17:35:00