Plato vs. Aristotle on Leadership

  If one had the ability to write a blog post and title it "Plato vs. Aristotle on Leadership", who would not take that opportunity?  Given that exact opportunity, this post examines the third section of Wren's Leader's Companion which focuses on the historical views of leadership (1995).  Within the pages of that section are excerpts from Tolstoy, Plato, Aristotle, Bernard Bass, Machiavelli, and Gandhi.  There are too many incredible comparisons to be drawn between these giant thinkers to give adequate weight to all the thoughts and theories presented within these few pages.   Instead I focused on the ancient philosophers with perhaps the greatest name recognition of any two thinkers in the history of the world.  
  Plato grew up in ancient Athens and was a pupil of the thinker Socrates.  He suggests that the falsehood of freedom that is claimed by those enjoying a democracy is overthrown by a demand for tyranny (Wren 1995 p. 61).  In his made-up conversation with Glaucon, he points out the necessity for power and authority within society, such as the relationship between teacher and scholar, using those examples as proof for the obligatory tyranny (Wren 1995 p. 61).  Plato continues to discuss the causality of war and tyranny from the simple democratic state in which a champion emerges to nurse the nation into greatness.  Instead of this perpetual cycle of tyranny and war followed by a call for democracy that only further perpetuates tyranny and war, Plato suggests the alternative of philosopher-kings (Wren 1995 p. 63).  The requirements Plato suggests for these philosopher-kings would supposedly keep evilness at bay all while requiring those not fit for leadership (or the study of knowledge) would be relegated to followership (Wren 1995 p. 64).  
  Aristotle was Plato's greatest pupil as well as critic.  Aristotle pushes back on Plato's notion that there are set leaders and followers and the followers will never exceed expectations to reach the level of philosophy as the leaders.  Aristotle suggests that the examples of power relationships Plato discussed are so because Nature has provided distinction between people (Wren 1995 p. 66).  Despite the differences in idealogy between the two great thinkers, they do both agree that the purpose of leadership should be the pursuit of the perfect life (Wren 1995).
     I love basketball and always have loved seeing the fact that basketball seems to be one of the team sports where a true team effort has the opportunity to overcome talent.  One of the most incredible coaches to ever live was John Wooden and one of his books They Call Me Coach detailed his coaching days and life (2004).  Within the book, he continually details how he does not think highly of himself as some great man, but only a normal man attempting to do great things.  This would come into conflict with Plato's theory and as I read the two opposing leadership theories, remembering Coach Wooden's words helped me resonate with Aristotle's theory.  The application of this theory is similar in both my professional or academic and personal life.  If I treat others as if they have the potential for leadership, regardless of the capacity, then they may be able to lead through followership.  I do not necessarily have specifics for how this will look because I do not yet know the specifics of what my life will look like.  But I am positive that everybody can benefit from giving each other the space and ability to be the best they can be in whatever leadership capacity they hold.  

Wooden, J (2004) They Call Me Coach.  New York: McGraw-Hill Books
Wren, J (1995) A Leader's Companion. New York: The Free Press