In Homer’s The Iliad, King Agamemnon can provide examples of how not to be an effective leader. Agamemnon portrays negative leadership skills and poor decision making throughout the tale. Towards the beginning of the poem, it becomes apparent to the reader that Agamemnon is not a very kind man. In the first book, the father of a woman being held captive by Agamemnon approached Agamemnon with a very reasonable request as well as ransom. Agamemnon not only denied the man, he mocked and disrespected him. The response was cold and unwarranted.
I view Agamemnon’s decision to deny the man a poor leadership decision on two accounts. Firstly, Agamemnon did not have much to lose in the situation. By accepting the ransom he would relieve both the father and daughter as well as enrich himself with the gifts he was offered. In my own opinion, I believe an adequate leader always has room in his/her heart for the greater good of humanity. Agamemnon clearly portrayed he is more interested in his status and ego than doing well for others. What made his decision even more ill-advised was that Agamemnon seemed to blind himself with selfishness. The man who requested for the safe return of his daughter happened to be a priest to the god Apollo. Agamemnon knew this. He also may have known that there would be consequences for disrespecting a priest of a god. As a result of being denied and disrespected the priest (Chryses) pleaded Apollo to seek revenge upon Agamemnon. Soon after, plague fell upon Agamemnon’s army, and continued for nine days. The plague resulted in many dead Achaian soldiers. Even worse, Agamemnon did not even seek action until his best fighter, Achilleus requested that he return the woman to her father. Once again blinded by his own desires, Agamemnon would only return the woman if we was compensated with a new woman in return. Achilleus volunteers his captive woman to Agamemnon who accepts the deal.
Agamemnon’s eventual downfall – (not in reference to the Iliad) can be linked to many poor decisions and questionable character traits. Lack of accountability is a trait that would be harmful to any leader. I believe taking accountability for one’s actions is a noble act as well as a necessary act for an adequate leader to take. It can be seen that Agamemnon prefers to blame others for his own mishaps. When trying to justify Achilleus abandoning the Achaian army he states, “This is the word the Achaians have spoken often against me and found fault with me in it, yet I am not responsible but Zeus is, and Destiny, and Erinys the mist-walking who in assembly caught my heart in savage delusion on that day I myself stripped from the prize of Achilleus. Yet what could I do? It is the god who accomplishes all things.” Book 19. Without Achilleus’ return to the Achaian army, it’s likely that Agamemnon and the Achaian army would’ve been forced to surrender.
Like many leaders in history, Agamemnon ruled with an iron fist. After analyzing The Iliad, I would classify Agamemnon as a ruler rather than a leader. However, I do not want to discredit him entirely. Agamemnon did have positive moments of leadership. When leading his army into battle without the help of Achilleus he says, “Be men now, dear friends, and take up the heart of courage, and have consideration for each other in the strong encounters, since more come through alive when men consider each other, and there is no glory when they give way, nor warcraft either.” Book 5 All in all, I view Agamemnon as a selfish ruler with little regard for the wellbeing of his subjects. He’s closer to a brutish tyrant than an effective leader.
Agamemnon’s leadership style can be further analyzed through various academic theories. For instance, transformational leadership theory emphasizes the importance of inspiring and motivating followers to achieve their full potential. Transformational leaders possess qualities such as empathy, integrity, and a vision for the future. Agamemnon, however, exhibits none of these traits. Instead of inspiring his men, he demoralizes them through his selfish actions and lack of accountability. This contrast highlights his inadequacy as a leader and underscores the negative impact of his leadership style on his followers.
Furthermore, Agamemnon’s behavior can be examined through the lens of transactional leadership theory, which focuses on the exchanges between leaders and followers. Transactional leaders maintain the status quo and use rewards and punishments to motivate followers. While Agamemnon does use rewards (such as offering compensation for Achilleus’s captive woman), his punitive actions and lack of consideration for his followers’ well-being diminish his effectiveness. His leadership style fails to build trust and loyalty among his men, which is essential for long-term success and stability.
Additionally, the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) is relevant to understanding Agamemnon’s leadership failures. EI refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. Effective leaders possess high EI, which enables them to build strong relationships, navigate social complexities, and make informed decisions. Agamemnon’s lack of empathy and inability to manage his own emotions (e.g., his rage and stubbornness) demonstrate low EI. His failure to connect with his followers on an emotional level contributes to the erosion of morale and cohesion within his army.
Agamemnon’s leadership style also contrasts with the servant leadership model, which prioritizes the needs and well-being of followers over the leader’s self-interest. Servant leaders are characterized by their humility, empathy, and commitment to serving others. In contrast, Agamemnon’s actions reveal a self-centered approach to leadership, where his desires and ego take precedence over the welfare of his people. His inability to put the needs of his followers first undermines his credibility and effectiveness as a leader.
Moreover, Agamemnon’s interactions with other characters in The Iliad highlight his failure to engage in ethical leadership. Ethical leaders are guided by principles of fairness, justice, and respect for others. Agamemnon’s treatment of Chryses, his disregard for the consequences of his actions, and his tendency to blame external forces for his failures all reflect a lack of ethical consideration. His leadership is marked by a disregard for moral values, which ultimately leads to negative outcomes for himself and his followers.
In conclusion, King Agamemnon in The Iliad serves as a powerful example of ineffective leadership. His negative traits, such as selfishness, lack of accountability, and poor decision-making, result in numerous detrimental consequences for himself and his people. Through the lens of various academic theories, including transformational leadership, transactional leadership, emotional intelligence, servant leadership, and ethical leadership, Agamemnon’s failures are illuminated. While he exhibits moments of positive leadership, his overall approach is characterized by a self-centered and brutish style that undermines his effectiveness. Agamemnon’s story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of empathy, accountability, and ethical behavior in effective leadership.