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READING comprehension
Task: Which are the four leadership processes applied by Alexander the
Great? Find them in the text below and explain them.

History is densely populated with powerful leaders whose ability to inspire their charges led to
substantial successes and some measure of greatness.
But no person has ever lived whose leadership was so absolute as to equal Alexander, King of
Macedonia. As a military commander, he defeated forces that dwarfed his own. As a statesman,
he brought entire nations to his side through a mix of diplomacy and intimidation. And as an icon,
he would become known the world over as, simply, Alexander the Great.
Alexander further built his reputation and legacy by directing symbols. In almost every city he
conquered, he ingratiated himself by taking part in local religious customs. He is said also to
have solved the mystery of the famed Gordian Knot, forever linking him to local legend.
The Wisdom of Alexander the Great shows how this almost impossibly young leader
combined ruthless efficiency on the battlefield with an uncanny understanding of human
nature to build an empire that at its height included some 90 percent of the known world. The
book identifies the unique leadership qualities of Alexander, and provides a framework for
developing, adapting, and applying these same qualities to 21st-century business.
Readers facing seemingly intractable situations will learn how Alexander made a habit of
refraining problems: Knowing he could not defeat the Persian navy in conventional sea battle;
he stayed on land and cut off their supply of fresh drinking water.
Alexander also stands out as an expert at building alliances: After the battle at Hvdaspes,
Alexander not only spared the life of the defeated King Porus, he also restored and enlarged
Porus's kingdom, thus securing the loyalty of his family for generations.
He was also a master at establishing identity. After defeating King Darius at Issvs, he befriended
members of the royal family, and later married into the family, establishing his identity as the
new Persian king.
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About Lance Kurke, the writer of the book entitled: The Wisdom of Alexander the Great
LANCE B. KURKE, PH.D., is the president of Kurke and Associates, Inc., a consulting practice pro-
viding strategic planning, leadership development, and executive coaching. He is also chairman of
the Leadership and Change Management division and an associate professor of management at the
John F. Donahue Graduate School of Business at Duquesne University, and an adjunct professor
at the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University.

"Lance Kurke deftly captures how the strategies and tactics of one of history's most fascinating
leaders can be applied today. This book is for any person who aspires to greatness:"
Jim Rohr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer The PNC Financial Services Group

"Reconfirms the adage that power is 20 percent granted and 80 percent grasped."
Charles J. Queenan, Jr., former Chairman of the Management Committee, Kirkpatrick &
Lockhart LLP

"Lance Kurke really gets you to think about leadership by using a creative process approach filled
with awesome history of one of the greatest leadership artists of all time."
Ken Burk, Chief Executive Officer, Union Switch & Signal

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