During a time specified by volatility, the question facing the leaders today is not whether the land will move under them, but when. Navigating uncertainty requires more than strategy and perspective; It requires stability, clarity, and discipline within. For Oxford University business professor Kartik Ramanna, there is a book that leads to uncertainty, that mindset is shaping an ancient but has a plot of framework: Stoicism.
When the Domain of the Hellenistic Statesmen such as Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, Stoicism now finds a changeable relationship with classrooms and C-suites, Ramanna said. In fact, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, venture capitalist Brad Feld, and former chief executive of Godaddy, Blake Irving, belonged Its modern adherents. But as Ramanna emphasizes, the Stoic leadership is far from passive detachment. It offers a discipline to stay grounded, focusing on what can be controlled and making major decisions in the midst of chaos.
At its core, stoicism wins self-control, stability, and reasonableness-does not prevent emotion but acts with intentional and integrity. Leaders do not control geopolitical excitement, economic cycles, or any other political discord. But they are can control their response. In business, this means maintaining the care of the pressure, choosing ethics in effectiveness, and maintaining clarity when the stakes are high.
Ramanna urged executives to act less like firefighters and more like fire leaders, successful crises, focus on resources, and finding out which flames let it burn. But this kind of restraint inevitably comes at a cost: not everyone will be pleased.
“Don't try to run the organization at this moment of polarization that looks like a contest to fame. Make difficult decisions,” he said.
It also means mastering the art of de-escalation. It starts with the development of communication systems-trusted networks of people who can cut noise, pressure test ideas, and flag issues before they can swing. The goal is not just control of the damage. Looking forward.
This kind of philosophy has long guided some of the most tenured business leaders, such as Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, whose leadership depends on humility, long-term focus, and simplicity. He advised CEOs in the past To avoid unexpected errorsIgnore the noise, and remain relentlessly focused on integrity and the customer.
Former Brooks running CEO Jim Weber remembered receiving the same advice during a collapse in European sales driven by the change of money. Buffett told her to ignore what could not be controlled and focused on the customer instead.
Ramanna saw this mindset as the essence of the Stoic leadership. It is about understanding what the attention is and what will be left behind.
That clarity will not remove the conflict. But through the leadership of Stoicism, Ramanna says, leaders can face crises in advance and goal instead of reacting under pressure.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
