The cardinal virtues, first mentioned in Plato's Symposium, seem to have been well-established concepts in ancient Greece. Later, they appeared in the Book of Isaiah in the Bible. These 2500 year old timeless virtues transcend cultural and religious boundaries, embodying the collective wisdom of humanity.
Aristotle, Plato's renowned student and tutor to Alexander the Great, played a pivotal role in shaping the young leader's character. Alexander's extraordinary achievements – building a vast empire spanning from India to Egypt and founding Alexandria – demonstrate his exceptional genius in military tactics and strategy, but also governance, and economics.
Alexander's remarkable conquests, accomplished in just 13 years, were likely influenced by the cardinal virtues he learned from Aristotle. These same virtues remain relevant today, offering a powerful framework for modern managers to develop their character and leadership skills.
The cardinal virtues encompass the essential skills that pertain to all mature human beings, including educated, socialized, and professional individuals. This comprehensive framework provides an exhaustive list of interpersonal and personal abilities, now commonly referred to as soft skills.
By combining various virtues that compose the cardinal virtues, professionals can cultivate critical management skills such as leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. The synergy between these virtues enables effective collaboration, strategic thinking, and inspirational leadership.
Not surprisingly, the virtues' universal appeal extends beyond the Catholic Church. Various philosophical and organizational frameworks, including Freemasonry (source available upon request), recommend these timeless principles to their members.
