Steve Forbes Comes to Words

What do the great leaders of antiquity have to teach the business leaders of today? Lots, if Steve Forbes is correct. The author, politician and bazillionaire recently published a book that draws out parallels between leading figures in the modern business world and the storied emperors, generals and leaders of the ancient world.

Working with classics scholar John Prevas, Forbes set six modern business leaders (among a leadership team; Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google) against six figures from early history for the book Power Ambition Glory: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today . . . and the Lessons You Can Learn.

Each grouping underscores a lesson about management and leadership. For example, the book pairs Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire with former GE CEO Jack Welch. Forbes and Prevas argue that the successes of both men were predicated on their reliance on tolerance and inclusion. Similarly, the authors find connections between the perspective downfalls of Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski and Alexander the Great.

The collaboration between Forbes and Prevas began after Forbes reviewed Prevas’ biography of Hannibal for Forbes magazine. In the review, Forbes noted that Hannibal’s story held lessons for today’s business pros.

“Human nature does not change,” Forbes said in an interview about the book on Forbes.com. “And while times and circumstances change, principles of leadership do not.”

Forbes will be reading from and signing copies of Power Ambition Glory at Words bookstore Sunday, June 21 at noon.