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135 leadership stories
How the laws and qualities play out in real life – from Leonidas to Netflix, from Marcus Aurelius to Jürgen Klopp.
135 of 135 examples
2025 62 examples
Tom Brady and the Quality of Teachability
The most successful quarterback in NFL history never stopped analyzing every game and getting better, despite all his titles and records.
Leonardo da Vinci and the Quality of Teachability
Painter, inventor, anatomist, engineer: da Vinci shows that greatness grows from tireless curiosity and lifelong learning.
Plato and the Quality of Teachability
Student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle: Plato recognized that wisdom lies in constant learning and critical reflection.
Joan of Arc and the Quality of Servanthood
Despite her youth, she selflessly placed herself in the service of her people and gave her life for a higher cause.
Alfred the Great and the Quality of Servanthood
The King of Wessex put the needs of his people above power for its own sake.
Cristiano Ronaldo and the Quality of Self-Discipline
Talent alone doesn’t explain this career: hard work, iron discipline and constant self-improvement do.
Marcus Aurelius and the Quality of Self-Discipline
The Stoic emperor led through control of his emotions, a sense of duty and discipline.
Warren Buffett and the Quality of Security
Self-confidence, clarity and consistency: Buffett creates stability and long-term success.
Frodo and Sam and the Quality of Security
On their perilous journey, Frodo and Sam show inner security, stability and determination.
Margaret Thatcher and the Quality of Security
Unshakable convictions and steadiness amid economic and political turbulence.
William Wallace and the Quality of Responsibility
The Scottish freedom fighter took responsibility for his people despite great personal risk.
Novak Djokovic and the Quality of Responsibility
As a superstar, he carries responsibility for his own career, for young players and for the sport.
Cicero and the Quality of Relationships
Amid intrigue, Cicero held his position through diplomacy, rhetoric and alliances.
Emperor Augustus and the Quality of Relationships
Augustus built alliances and cultivated relationships to stabilize the Roman Empire.
Thomas Edison and the Quality of Problem Solving
Creative, persistent and strategic: Edison tackled challenges until the solution was in place.
Movie – Argo
A high-risk rescue mission: a CIA agent smuggles six diplomats out of Iran disguised as a film crew.
Archimedes and the Quality of Problem Solving
The ancient mathematician and inventor found creative, strategic solutions to difficult tasks.
Barack Obama and the Quality of Positive Attitude
“Yes We Can”: confidence as a mindset that overcomes obstacles and inspires others.
Movie – Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump meets every challenge with optimism and makes the best of every situation.
Movie – The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty learns to recognize opportunities and unlock his potential.
Diego Simeone and the Quality of Passion
The Atlético Madrid coach uses passion to build a culture of commitment.
Michael Schumacher and the Quality of Passion
A deep inner drive pushed him to consistently deliver top performances.
Jürgen Klopp and the Quality of Passion
Dedication and energy that help players and fans rise above themselves.
Marcus Aurelius and the Quality of Listening
The philosopher emperor built trust by listening and made wise decisions.
The Four-Sides Model
Friedemann Schulz von Thun explains the layers of communication – and with them, what good listening is all about.
Socrates and the Quality of Listening
The Socratic method: ask questions, listen, understand together.
Tony Hawk and the Quality of Initiative
The skateboarding pioneer and entrepreneur set things in motion instead of waiting for opportunities.
Johannes Gutenberg and the Quality of Initiative
The inventor of printing with movable type acted where others hesitated.
Movie – Hidden Figures
Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson take the initiative – against all resistance.
Naomi Osaka and the Quality of Generosity
One of the most successful tennis players of her generation shares her time, her voice and her resources.
Movie – Pay It Forward
A boy starts a movement of generosity whose impact reaches far beyond himself.
Mahatma Gandhi and the Quality of Focus
A clear focus on nonviolence and India’s independence.
Gaius Marius and the Quality of Focus
The Roman general concentrated on what mattered most and reformed the army.
Movie – The Founder
Ray Kroc and the building of the McDonald’s empire as a lesson in focus.
The Code of Hammurabi
The King of Babylon codified laws – an early example of discernment.
Movie – The Big Short
Who judged correctly before the 2008 financial crisis – and why so few did.
Movie – A Beautiful Mind
John Nash and the question of which perception you can trust.
Spartacus and the Quality of Courage
The leader of the great slave revolt in ancient Rome.
Movie – Erin Brockovich
A single mother successfully takes on an energy corporation.
Movie – Braveheart
The story of William Wallace as a powerful portrait of courage.
Sun Tzu and the Quality of Competence
The author of “The Art of War” as the epitome of strategic competence.
Serena Williams and the Quality of Competence
Technical excellence, mental strength and an unmatched work ethic.
Phil Jackson and the Quality of Communication
One of the most successful NBA coaches led superstars through clear, simple messages.
Cicero and the Quality of Communication
The greatest orator of antiquity and the power of clear words.
Leonidas I
The King of Sparta and his stand at Thermopylae, 480 BC.
Rosa Parks
Her tireless dedication to the fight against racial segregation.
Movie – Remember the Titans
Coach Herman Boone forges individuals into a team – with dedication and determination.
Cleopatra and the Quality of Charisma
Egypt’s last pharaoh won people over to herself and her cause.
John F. Kennedy and the Quality of Charisma
“Ask not what your country can do for you” – charisma in a single sentence.
Movie – The Greatest Showman
P.T. Barnum shows how vision and charisma go hand in hand.
Movie – Schindler’s List
Oskar Schindler’s path from opportunist to rescuer of more than 1,200 people.
George Washington and the Quality of Character
His decision not to seek a third term strengthened the young democracy.
Socrates and the Quality of Character
Better to accept death than betray one’s own principles.
Roger Federer and the Quality of Character
A career that shows character is the foundation of greatness.
Gerhard Schröder’s Legacy
Agenda 2010 and the fruits that later governments were able to harvest.
FC Bayern and the Law of Legacy
The handover from Hoeneß and Rummenigge to the next generation.
Movie – The Ultimate Gift
A young man must accept a legacy and learn to understand it.
RB Leipzig and the Law of Explosive Growth
From the lower leagues to the European stage in just a few years.
Bavaria’s AI Strategy
100 AI professorships: growth by developing minds that develop further minds.
The Vuvuzela and the Law of Timing
Why the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was exactly the right moment for the vuvuzela.
Aristotle Onassis and the Law of Timing
The purchase of his first ships – at exactly the right time.
German Reunification and the Law of Timing
In 1990 a window of opportunity opened – and was seized.
2024 59 examples
Ursula von der Leyen and the Law of Sacrifice
Leadership at the highest level and what it costs personally.
Jack Welch and the Law of Priorities
Only number 1 or 2 in the market: GE concentrated on what mattered most.
Eisenhower and the Law of Priorities
Important or urgent? The matrix that bears his name.
Abraham Lincoln and the Law of Priorities
Six of eight hours spent sharpening the axe.
Movie – Miracle
The US ice hockey team beats the seemingly unbeatable Soviet Union.
Apple and the Law of Victory
On the brink of bankruptcy – and the road back to the top.
Donald Trump and the Law of Victory
The 2016 election analyzed in light of the Law of Victory.
Psychological Safety and the Law of Buy-In
Dan Radecki’s book “Psychological Safety” and why trust makes performance possible.
Brad Feld and the Law of Addition
The co-founder of Techstars adds value before he expects anything in return.
Jim Sinegal and the Law of Addition
The Costco co-founder served customers and employees – and succeeded because of it.
John C. Maxwell and the Law of Addition
The author of the 21 laws as a living example of his own law.
Coca-Cola and the Law of Empowerment
Global expansion through local responsibility.
Jack Welch and the Law of Empowerment
His book “Winning” as a plea for empowered leaders.
Netflix and the Law of Empowerment
Freedom and responsibility as a culture.
Legacy and the Law of the Inner Circle
James Kerr on the culture of the New Zealand All Blacks.
Larry Ellison, Oracle and the Law of the Inner Circle
When the team went from being part of the solution to being part of the problem.
Abraham Lincoln and His Team of Rivals
Lincoln brought political opponents into his cabinet.
Movie – The King’s Speech
Despite his speech impediment, King George VI becomes an inspiring voice.
Martin Luther King and the Law of Connection
“I Have a Dream” – a speech that reaches hearts.
QVC and the Law of Connection
“Believe It! The Story of QVC” on connection as a business model.
Walt Disney and the Law of Magnetism
Disney attracted people who shared his imagination.
Bill Walsh and the Law of Magnetism
The San Francisco 49ers NFL coach and his school of leadership.
Lee Iacocca and the Law of Magnetism
How Iacocca led Chrysler out of crisis in the 1980s.
Movie – Flight
In the midst of disaster, a pilot trusts his intuition.
Anita Roddick and the Law of Intuition
“Look what the industry does and go the other direction.”
Winston Churchill and the Law of Intuition
Churchill sensed early on the threat posed by Hitler’s regime.
Movie – The 15:17 to Paris
Three friends foil an attack – acting on gut instinct.
Movie – The Last Castle
An imprisoned general wins the respect of the inmates.
Movie – American Gangster
Frank Lucas and the dark side of respect.
Bruce Lee and the Law of Respect
The life and philosophy of a fighter people followed.
Nelson Mandela and the Law of Respect
People respect natural leaders – and follow them.
Olaf Scholz and the Law of Solid Ground
Wirecard, Cum-Ex and how trust is built – and lost.
Elon Musk and the Law of the Picture
Sleeping on the production line during the Model 3 crisis.
Napoleon and the Law of the Picture
His field tent right among his soldiers.
Mahatma Gandhi and the Law of the Picture
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The Fosbury Flop and the Law of the Picture
A new technique that everyone copied after 1968.
Movie – Schweinsteiger
“Memories – Von Anfang bis Legende”: a life as a role model.
D-Day and the Law of Navigation
The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, as a masterpiece of planning.
The South Pole and the Law of Navigation
Amundsen versus Scott: planning decides between life and death.
RB Leipzig and the Law of Navigation
From amateur club to top European club with a clear plan.
Movie – Balloon
Two families flee East Germany in a homemade hot-air balloon.
Movie – Money Heist
The “Professor” and his meticulously planned heists.
Movie – Everest
The 1996 tragedy and what happens when the plan is ignored.
Movie – Self Made
Madam C. J. Walker: from washerwoman to America’s first self-made female millionaire.
The Royal Navy and Ignoring the Law of Process
Decades of delay before citrus fruit was used against scurvy.
Lee Kuan Yew and the Law of Process
31 years that transformed Singapore.
Movie – Lincoln
Lincoln’s struggle for the 13th Amendment.
Movie – Bridge of Spies
Lawyer James B. Donovan negotiates a prisoner exchange during the Cold War.
General Georges Sada and the Law of Influence
“Saddam’s Secrets”: insights into the power structure of a regime.
Movie – Vice
Dick Cheney and influence beyond the official office.
Peter Altmaier and the Law of Influence
The informal Monday meeting at the Chancellery.
The Gülen Movement and the Law of Influence
A transnational movement and the mechanics of influence.
Jürgen Klopp and the Lid at Liverpool FC
From mediocrity to Champions League winner – with a higher lid.
Elon Musk and the Lid at Tesla
The transformation of Tesla and the leadership ability behind it.
Movie – Moneyball
Billy Beane changes baseball with data.
Larry Page Recognizes His Lid and Appoints Eric Schmidt
A founder recognizes his limit – and brings in an experienced CEO.
Movie – Invictus
Nelson Mandela and the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Margaret Thatcher and the Law of Solid Ground
“Either we stand on principles or we don’t stand at all.”
Movie – The Butler
A butler who served several US presidents.
2023 3 examples
FC Bayern Munich in the Covid Crisis
How the way employees are treated in a crisis builds trust.
Movie – The Godfather of Black Music
A man who built great influence.
Guttenberg and the Law of Solid Ground
The plagiarism affair and the loss of trust.
2022 5 examples
Better to Lose Money Than Trust
Robert Bosch’s key maxim and its impact to this day.
No Presence – No Role Model
A letter from Elon Musk to his employees about presence.
Leadership in a Crisis: the 2021 Floods
What the 2021 floods teach about presence, communication and responsibility in a crisis.
Give First
The “Give First” mentality of Techstars.
Ernst Bergen and the Lid of Paraguay
An entrepreneur and politician shapes the development of a country.
2021 3 examples
Hansi Flick and Bayern Munich
The historic 2020 treble and the power of momentum.
Huang Dafa – Self-Discipline and Sacrifice for His Life’s Work
36 years spent on an irrigation canal for his village.
Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle
“Start with Why”: why people follow the why.