Chapter 9: Close relations to all levels in the organisation

In chapter IX in ‘The Prince’: ‘Of civil principalities’ Machiavelli a.o. states that he who becomes prince by the favor of the nobles, should immediately strive to win the good will of the people, which will be easy for him, by taking them under his protection. When men receive benefits from one of whom they expected only ill treatment, they will attach themselves quickly to such a benefactor; so the people will become more kindly disposed to him than if he had been made prince by their favor. A wise prince should always pursue such a course that the citizens of his state will always and under all circumstances feel the need of his authority, and therefore always prove faithful to him.

To what extent do Machiavelli’s thoughts apply to the roles and responsibilities of modern leaders from different countries, cultures and trades? How important is it for a leader to have close relations to all levels in the organisation and to make his followers dependant on his or her success?

Discover The Mind of a Leader…

Participants:
  Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
  Mads Øvlisen
  Nicolas Winding Refn
  Bengt Baron
  Dame Anita Roddick
  Marc Soustrot
  Michael S. Dukakis
  Steven Hilton
  Lynda Curtis
  Richard Valdemar