Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Leadership Lessons from Terracotta Warriors

The three Pits at the Terracotta Warriors Museum display the battle-ready formations. Pit 1 comprised foot soldiers; grunts or infantrymen – sadly, they are cannon fodder. Pit 2 contained the mounted cavalry with horses. Pit 3 contained the officers and chariots.

The warfare of two thousand years ago was based on pushing the cannon fodder in front; their statues were skinny with no body armour. Officers were situated further back with body armour and larger bellies. The unique statues were the archers who were positioned asymmetrically in active poses.
I also met the only surviving farmer who discovered the original site of the buried army; they found earthen pottery while farming. He now holds an official job in the museum, signing autographs of the well-produced glossy souvenir book. Just before he signed the two books of my travel companions, he was dozing off. Thanks to his team who founded the site in 1974, without which we would not have enjoyed, a glimpse of one of the most amazing archaeological finds in human history.
As a leader, where do you normally position yourself? Do you lead from behind, or make yourself available in the frontline?

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