This is pretty good
I read Napoleon's Military Maxims, these are my five top takeaways in leadership...
1. “IX The strength of an army, like the power in mechanics, is estimated by multiplying the mass by the rapidity; a rapid march augments the moral of an army, and increases all chances of victory.”
Strength = Mass x Rapidity
The faster you can move, with the largest organization possible, the more strength you will have.
Key Lesson- Find the balance between size and speed
2. “LXIV nothing is so important in war as undivided command: for this reason, when war is carried on against a single power, there should be only one army, acting upon one base, and conducted by one chief.”
The business is always the extension of the founder.
- Edwin Land and Polaroid
- Steve Jobs and Apple
- Elon Musk and SpaceX
Key Lesson- There must always be ONE person in charge.
3. “LXV The same consequences which have uniformly attended long discussions and councils of war will follow at all times. They will terminate in the adoption of the worst course, which in war is always the most timid, or, if you will, the most prudent. The only true wisdom in a general is determined courage.”
Multiple heads stagnates decision making. This just continues to stress, that there has to be one head.
Key Lesson- Remove any bottlenecks to decision making processes.
4. “VI At the commencement of a campaign, to advance or not to advance is a matter for grave consideration, but when once the offensive has been assumed, it must be sustained to the last extremity.”
Once it is time to execute, there is no looking back.
Retreat always kills moral.
"In a retreat, besides the honour of the army, the loss is often equal to two battles. For this reason we should never despair while brave men are to be found with their colours. It is by this means we obtain victory.”
Once you and your team are moving, you must become a projectile.
Key Lesson- You must become unstoppable until the goal is achieved.
5. “LXXVIII Peruse again the campaigns of Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Gustavus Adolphus, Turenne, Eugene and Frederick. Model yourself upon them. This is the only means of becoming a great captain, and of acquiring the secret of the art of war. Your own genius will be enlightened and improved by this study, and you will learn to reject all maxims foreign to the principles of these great commanders.”
Key Lesson- If you want to become great, you must first study the greats of the past.