"He who is to be a good ruler must have first been ruled"
- Aristotle
About this Quote
This quote by Aristotle speaks with the significance of experience in leadership. He recommends that in order to be an excellent ruler, one must first have been ruled. This suggests that a leader should have a deep understanding of the experience of being ruled in order to be successful. This understanding can come from having been ruled by somebody else, or from having actually remained in a position of being ruled by one's own decisions. In either case, the experience of being ruled is vital for a leader to be able to efficiently lead.
Aristotle's quote likewise talks to the importance of humility in leadership. A great ruler must be modest adequate to acknowledge that they have actually been ruled in the past, and that they can gain from that experience. This humility enables a leader to be available to gaining from their errors and to be ready to listen from those who have actually been ruled in the past.
Lastly, Aristotle's quote talks to the value of empathy in leadership. A good ruler must have the ability to understand the experience of being ruled in order to be able to effectively lead. This compassion enables a leader to be able to associate with the people they are ruling, and to be able to understand their needs and concerns.
Overall, Aristotle's quote speaks with the significance of experience, humbleness, and empathy in management. An excellent ruler must have first been ruled in order to be successful.