Running head: THE PRINCE

The Prince Book Synopsis
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University of #####

Dr. #####
#### 16, 20##

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli reveals an interesting perspective of leadership and ethics relating to how a prince should obtain land, control it and maintain it by any means necessary. In this book, Machiavelli provides a clear definition of the different types of states or principalities, recommendation on how to govern these principalities and how to expand a prince’s domain. Furthermore, he explains ways to evaluate the strong points and vulnerabilities of other principalities and concludes with the qualities or characteristics a prince should possess to maintain his status. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of this book is the suggestion Machiavelli gives about the characteristics a prince should develop in order to be successful, particularly the idea of responsibility, kindness or compassion, and the concept of trust or faith. This paper will focus on these key characteristics or qualities Machiavelli suggests a prince should possess and compare them with leadership based on character.

Character based leadership suggests there is a direct correlation between character, ethics and how leadership is developed. It is based upon seven “classical virtues”, courage, faith, justice, prudence, temperance, love and hope. Each of these virtues describes a certain aspect of character and, when they become intertwined, “they profoundly describe a way of life” (Kolp & Rea, 2006). Character will define an individual’s ability to lead, to make ethical decisions and how an individual interacts with others, “Character is more than behavior; character is one’s way of both being and doing in the world” (Kolp & Rea, 2006). Character based leadership also suggests an effective leader must be accountable to those he/she intends to lead and must not avoid taking responsibility for his/her actions.

Responsibility is one of the key factors to being an effective leader. Leaders must make decisions that will affect others in either a positive or negative manner. They must consider all the facts, weigh the outcomes and make the decision accordingly. It is easy to take responsibility for the positive or correct decisions, but difficult for the negative or wrong ones. In character-based leadership a key characteristic to being able to accept responsibility is the virtue of courage, “do what is right even when it is likely to cost us more than we want to pay...” (Kolp & Rea, 2006). Throughout his book, Machiavelli suggests a prince should only take responsibility for his actions when it is beneficial to him, “…because how one lives is so far distant from how one ought to live, that he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done sooner effects his ruin than preservation…” (Machiavelli, 1532). Machiavelli’s suggests using deception to avoid taking responsibility for certain decisions in order for a prince to maintain power at any cost. This is contrary to the principals of character-based leadership and suggests a prince should only be concerned with taking responsibility when it involves self-preservation, which is not a quality of an effective leader. According to Kolp and Rea, this type of behavior is classified as cowardice, occurring out of fear and ignorance (2006). It is harmful to the work environment, can lead to unethical practices, poor decision-making and ill-treat of subordinates.

The manner in which a leader treats and relates to subordinates is important. It will set the tone for the work environment; affect productivity and either promote creativity or hinder it. In character-based leadership the concept of “treat others as you will like to be treated” is the foundation for effective leadership and for making ethical decisions. Compassion plays an important role in how an individual relates to and treats others. Therefore, it is important for an effective leader to understand how compassion can be a powerful tool and can provide insight in how to treat subordinates, “Sympathy and compassion bring the dimensions of understanding and sharing to our care” (Kolp & Rea, 2006). Being able to understand others in the workplace can help encourage a productive and healthy work environment, while boosting confidence in an individual’s leadership ability. An effective leader must not only be concerned with business goals, but also concerned for employee’s safety in the workplace and their personal well-being. This is contrary to how Machiavelli suggests a prince should display compassion, again alluding to a self-preservation type mentality, “ Therefore a prince, so long as he keeps his subjects untied and loyal, ought not to mind the reproach of cruelty…” (Machiavelli, 1532). Cruelty in the work place is unhealthy, destructive and can lead to unethical practices. The absence of compassion or displaying it only when it is self-serving can deplete morale, hinder production, create animosity and cause mistrust in the work place.

Another important aspect to being an effective leader is trust. Trust is a two way street. An effective leader must trust or have faith in his/her subordinates, while also earning their trust or faith in his/her ability to lead. In order to be a leader an individual must have someone who will follow him/her. Trust or faith is an important aspect of our character, “Trust shapes our motives, our motives define our character and our character directs our actions, defining who we become” (Kolp & Rea, 2006). Therefore, as a leader, it is important to trust and to be trusted. However, Machiavelli suggests a prince should not have faith or trust in others, “ … a wise prince should establish himself on that which is in his own control and not in that of others…” (Machiavelli, 1532). He suggests a prince should not trust or put faith anyone except himself, alluding to the idea that everyone is out to “get him”. In today’s work environment this advice would create mistrust within an organization. Mistrust is detrimental to the work environment, leading to ineffectiveness, suspicion and hostility. In conclusion, Machiavelli’s advice on what characteristics a prince should possess may have been applicable in the time period it which it was written, but not in today’s business world. Leaders cannot practice the art of self-preservation at any cost and be effective as a leader. Decisions made solely on self-preservation will open the door for unethical decisions, irresponsibility, ill treatment of subordinates and mistrust. Machiavelli’s idea of maintaining power at all costs, disregarding virtue and ethics, is completely opposite of character-based leaderships. Character-based leadership maintains that an effective leader should act according to the seven virtues when making decisions and interacting with subordinates. Character-based leadership believes in the servant style of leadership and an effective leader is one who adds value to those around him/her. This is the road map for being a successful leader in today’s business environment and making decisions from an ethical perspective.

References
Kolp, A. & Rea, P. (2006). Leading with integrity: character-based leadership. Cincinnati, OH: Atomic Dog.
Machiavelli, N. (2010). The prince (W.K. Marriot, Trans.). Hollywood, FL: Simon & Brown (Original work published 1532)