Lessons for leaders from the Roman Colosseum

On a recent trip to Rome I got to visit the incredible structures that represent Rome in its glorious heyday. Of course, chief among these is the Colosseum, one of the key symbols of Rome and the centre of the Empire.

Imagine being a first century person travelling across Europe, passing relatively low and small towns and villages - and then you feast your eyes on the huge magnificence of Imperial Rome!

It got me thinking about lessons for modern leaders from those charged with leading the greatest empire the world had seen to that point. One of the big lessons that completely shouted to me: the importance of symbols as the foundation for your narrative.

Elsewhere I talk about the way your values need to be manifested through symbols. In this short video below I reflect on how symbols deliver a clear message about who you are. This was filmed just after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - so the UK had lost its most potent symbol.

If this resonates with you, let’s talk about how we might introduce this thinking into your world.

If you are a leader, what can you learn from Ancient Rome? And particularly the magnificent symbols of its might?

Here’s a short video setting out some reflections from a recent visit.