The Falcon of Sparta

Happy Friday Friends,

I finished a fantastic book last weekend - The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden.

This is the story of a Persian prince, Cyrus the Younger who gets cast out by his older brother who then becomes king. The Persian prince was head of his father’s armies across off of Persia. When he was cast out he decided he was going to challenge his brother for the thrown. He gathers a huge army of over 1 Million warriors. Some Persians, some Greeks and some Spartans - The Helenes

Cyrus's force encountered an adversary that outnumbered them by a ratio of 10:1 when they advanced into combat.In a crazy twist, the protagonist, Cyrus, smashes his brother early in the fight and we think he’s won. But, as he's dismounting his horse to kill his brother an unlucky spear catches him in the face. His brother, the king ends up cutting his head off and parades it in front of all the armies.

The story then only begins when a group of Spartans and Greeks decide they are going to try and flee Persian lands and make their way to Greece. There are one hundred thousand left, of which only about ten thousand are fighters. The rest are women, slaves and children. March of the Ten Thousand. is the original account written by Xenophon, a lesser-known student of Socrates. 

This gripping story takes us on an expedition through hostile terrains and against overwhelming odds. Conn captures the essence of human tenacity, leadership, and the complexities of warfare. Although the novel is set in the 5th century BC, the narrative offers timeless lessons that echo into our modern lives.

PerseveranceIt is incredible what humans can endure. Marching 15-20 miles per day through a desert with almost no water and hardly any food. While also defending against a Persian army of hundreds of thousands snapping at their heels. The story emphasises the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. 

Both Prince Cyrus, then Xenophon and his followers faced many challenges and setbacks on their journey, but they never gave up. They had no other choice.

I see this often in life, in myself and others around me. When we put our minds to something and make the conscious decision that we refuse to give up, we achieve great things. What these people went through makes our “challenges” look insignificant. The lesson is you can endure more than you think you can. Keep pushing. Your goal may be on the other side of the next bend, you’ll never realise it if you stop now.

Importance of Preparation The outnumbered Greeks had to retreat through desert and then into steep, snowy mountains. Yet, they were constantly reviewing their situation and preparing for the next attack, manoeuvre or escape. Their planning puts them a step ahead of their purely reactive enemies. 

The meticulously planned marches and tactical manoeuvres show the crucial role of preparation in achieving any significant undertaking. Whether you're launching a startup or preparing for a big presentation, the groundwork you lay down significantly impacts the outcome.

From my experience, preparation beats pure intelligence every day of the week. You may not be the smartest person in the room or have the best product to sell. But, if you’re well prepared and understand your audience you’re already a few steps ahead of the competition.

Leadership Under Pressure As the characters navigate treacherous circumstances, they display forms of leadership that inspire loyalty even in dire situations. Throughout the first half of the story, Xenophon is hardly mentioned. He is an ex-soldier turned scholar who looked after Cyrus's army’s horses. Due to his learnings from Socrates, Xenophon has self-control and awareness to keep calm when it seems like all the world is closing in on him.

I don't believe that all leaders are born with those abilities. They develop the skills and trust over the years. Any of us can step up and learn to lead if the situation calls for it.This serves as a reminder that true leaders are forged in adversity. And, great leaders can maintain their composure under pressure. 

Adaptability Is Key The book’s heroes often find themselves in unpredictable situations where their original plans have to change. Their ability to adapt to new challenges is a lesson in flexibility. The importance of being able to change course when necessary is a vital skill.Adaptability is a human trait that is often overlooked. We don’t realise how well we can deal with change, even if we don’t like it. 

2 years ago we were deep in a global pandemic and weren’t allowed to leave our homes. That is the biggest shock to the norm we will most likely (and hopefully) experience in our lifetimes. But, here we are past all of it and life continues, in many ways for the better.When you believe you can adapt to the hardest times then getting through anything is possible.

Unity in Diversity The Ten Thousand was a collection of soldiers from various backgrounds and cultures. Their success shows the power of unity and the importance of putting aside differences to work towards a common goal.

I lived in London for many years and I was lucky to work at a global company for all those years. When I look back at that time now I realise it wasn’t the work I was doing that I loved but rather the fact I worked with people from almost every country in Europe. 

People from many different cultures, speaking different languages made our department the closest and best performing in the company. When we are open to embracing the diversity of the people around us we open ourselves up to endless amounts of growth and experiences.

The Psychological Element The story shows that physical battles are also battles of the mind. Strategy, morale, and psychological warfare are as crucial as the actual combat. In modern life, mental resilience and smart strategies can often outweigh raw resources or brute force.

Most of us don’t fight physical wars but it can often feel like we are in the middle of a battle. Negotiating a deal, a heated debate with our partner or pushing through hard times at work. Although the severity of our battles these days pales compared to the Ten Thousand, our mental state is as important. 

Learning to step out of the chaos and quiet your mind in preparation for what’s to come is important.

The story of the Ten Thousand reminds us that the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of life are part of the human experience. The warriors' journey through adversity serves as a reminder that life is often an unforgiving battlefield. Yet we all have the spirit to conquer it. 

Whatever you're facing, a startup hurdle, a personal struggle, or even a mundane daily obstacle. Know that the strength to overcome is already within you. 

As Xenophon said, "He is truly a man who will not permit himself to be undisciplined."

Keep that in mind and use it to fuel your determination as you tackle your battles ahead.

Peace, love and muscles,Jarren

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