Learning from History
Is it possible to learn anything that is useful to me, from Genghis Kahn, who lived 860 years ago?
I read this article, by Cedric Chen and he asserted that when we learn from history we should not learn "lessons". Instead, look at what's happened in history as possibilities and look for patterns.
With that in mind, I started reading a biography of this warlord that lived in harsher conditions than I can imagine who conquered the most advanced civilization in the world and controlled all notable trade.
Here's what I've got:
- Rules can be broken.
Genghis Kahn, ignored the caste system and didn't trust his family. His early adversaries didn't realize this, giving him an advantage. In many "advanced" societies it was assumed that the elite would be left alone after a city was defeated; he killed all the idle rich. He didn't use torture to terrorize societies, he used efficiency. - Allies can be temporary
His first benefactor, who saved his life in Genghis' 20s, went to war against him later in life along with Genghis' childhood closest friend. - Personal magnetism can overcome class barriers
People who had no business helping Genghis risked life and property to help him. I also recall this from Julius Caesar's life. - People who are close to you who tell you the truth may save your life.
Both his wife and mother told him he was blind to someone who was attempting to overthrow him. This is notable because no one in Genghis' military hierarchy did this. There might be a secondary lesson here. - Speed and flexibility can overcome resource differences
Genghis consistently defeated larger, well defended cities and armies. Prior to his death, his armies required no supply trains, they created paths of escape, and had decentralized decision making. They often showed up in "impossible" places behind enemy lines. They had no infantry and so could move at an incredible pace compared to their enemies. They created siege engines at the cities they besieged.
So what? By having worked through these ideas, as I'm advising, creating tools, and navigating life I have these possibilities in my mind. I can value speed and flexibility over a "I've accounted for all possibilities" type of mentality. It also helps me consider that big companies aren't permanent, and there's a huge gap between their flexibility and mine. These lessons reinforces the idea that people like doing business with people they like. Temporary allies makes me think of Warren Buffet's advice to value aligning incentives. Keeping people close who I can hear the truth from tells me what kind of peers and friends to value and if possible, to push current relationships in that direction.