Julius Caesar revisited

In 1953 The film Julius Caesar directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz was released.  I was 9 years old when I saw it and it was perhaps the first film I ever watched in a cinema.

The film is highlighted by exceptional performances from a talented cast. Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Mark Antony is particularly noteworthy, especially his delivery of the iconic “Friends, Romans, countrymen” speech,

(Brando was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.  It was won by Gary Cooper for his performance in High Noon.  Competition was tough in those days.)

James Mason as Brutus and John Gielgud as Cassius also deliver compelling performances that bring Shakespeare’s complex characters to life, showcasing their motivations and moral dilemmas in the context of political intrigue

Julius Caesar excels in its exploration of themes such as ambition, betrayal, and the consequences of political machinations. The film delves into the moral complexities faced by its characters, particularly through Brutus’s internal conflict regarding loyalty versus honour. This thematic depth resonates with contemporary audiences, making it relevant beyond its historical context and contributing to its status as a classic in cinematic history.  In November 2024 Bell Shakespeare organised a big screen showing which my sister and I attended.  The film is a brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare’s play.

The film superbly demonstrates how Brutus’s idealism leads him to make naïve decisions\\

• He ignores Cassius’s advice to kill Antony along with Caesar, hoping to limit violence.
• He allows Antony to speak at Caesar’s funeral, despite Cassius’s warning1.
• He condemns Cassius’s fundraising tactics, straining their relationship.
• Brutus and Cassius escape to Greece where they raise an army and prepare to fight Octavius and Antony in a decisive battle. Cassius and Brutus disagree on military strategy.  Cassius argues that they wait instead of attacking and make the forces of their foes tire themselves out by searching for them, but Brutus insists that they attack at Phillipi before Octavius and Antony are able to get more soldiers.  When Cassius tries to make Brutus see his point, Brutus refuses to listen.

On the other hand Brutus’s attachment to noble virtues makes him susceptible to manipulation. Cassius exploits this weakness, using language related to honour and patriotism to lure Brutus into the conspiracy3.

Then I recently read The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar: Modern Lessons from the Man Who Built an Empire by Phillip Barlag.  Through eight leadership lessons Phillip weaves a single common thread that leaders of all kinds throughout the ages miss at their peril – lead with power, not force.  Central to Barlag’s argument is the distinction between force and power. Caesar avoided using brute force on his followers, understanding that fear never generates genuine loyalty. He exercised a power deeply rooted in his demonstrated personal integrity and his intuitive understanding of people’s deepest needs and motivations. His supporters followed him because they wanted to, not because they were compelled to.

A tool such as the 7MTF is particularly useful for developing powerful leadership skills.  Using 7MTF model a leader can generally identify the two dominant components in a follower within 60 seconds.  Using this information a leader then knows which emotional levers to gain commitment from a follower. Maya Angelou nailed it when she said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

The 8 leadership lessons are:

Lead with Power, Not Force: Caesar understood the importance of motivating others through shared goals rather than using coercion.

Lead from the Front: Caesar demonstrated his commitment by sharing risks and hardships with his troops, such as eating the same food as his soldiers during difficult campaigns.

Defy Convention: Caesar was innovative in his approach to leadership and military tactics, often employing unconventional strategies to achieve success1.

Bet on Yourself: Caesar showed confidence in his abilities and was willing to take calculated risks to achieve his objectives.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open: Caesar maintained strong connections with his soldiers, reportedly knowing many of them by name, which helped build trust and loyalty.

Co-Opt the Power of Others: Caesar worked to build alliances and find mutual benefits, even with political opponents, to achieve his goals.

Pre-empt Your Enemies: Caesar was proactive in addressing potential threats and challenges, often taking decisive action to secure his position.

Invest in Your Power Base: Caesar consistently worked to strengthen his relationships with his supporters and expand his influence.

In The Humm Handbook I analyse the play in some detail.  The play has been described as conflict resolution between an idealist (Brutus), an egotist (Caesar) and an opportunist (Cassius).  It is much more than that and the film along with Barlag and my books are excellent if not the best leadership/management training you can undertake.

“Companies come and go; the great plays last forever” Charles Handy.

(All is explained in the following blog: https://www.emotionalintelligencecourse.com/theatre-review-julius-caesar/)