Julius Caesar, CEO

August 13, 2012
Prolific business historian and author Axelrod (Winston Churchill, CEO) hits the mark again with the latest in his CEO series, this time examining legendary leader Julius Caesar. Axelrod makes the case that Caesar’s legacy, including his audacious crossing of the Rubicon, in which he pitted his small army against the much greater legions of Rome, includes countless lessons for business leaders. Calling Caesar the “archetypal chief executive officer,” the author starts out with a quick account of Caesar’s life, including his lineage, marriages, key battles, victories, and dramatic death. He then explores six guiding principles that sum up the famous leader’s style. These principles are illustrated with a selection of Caesar’s achievements, each coupled with a business lesson. For example, in the section called “Vision and Strategy,” Axelrod presents the concept of “Winner Take Nothing,” using Caesar’s battle with formidable Gallic foe Vercingetorix, chieftain of Averni, as an example of how an all-or-nothing strategy backfired for his rival; he makes the point that “advanced business leaders must look for ways to convert zero-sum competition into collaborative, synergistic scenarios.” Sure to appeal to history aficionados as well as business executives, Axelrod’s conversational style, engaging tone, and frequent use of callout boxes to illustrate his points makes the work informative and accessible. Agent: Edward B. Claflin Literary Agency.