Uplifting achilles : friendship as a form of followership /
Homer's Iliad begins with Achilles' hurt ego and his refusal to fight, which costs numerous Greek lives. Luckily, Achilles is not alone: he brought with him an old childhood friend, named Patroclus. For the most part, Patroclus was satisfied to support Achilles' leadership, to listen...
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
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London :
SAGE Publications: SAGE Business Cases Originals,
2023.
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| Series: | SAGE business cases.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Connect to the full text of this electronic book |
| Summary: | Homer's Iliad begins with Achilles' hurt ego and his refusal to fight, which costs numerous Greek lives. Luckily, Achilles is not alone: he brought with him an old childhood friend, named Patroclus. For the most part, Patroclus was satisfied to support Achilles' leadership, to listen to him, and tend to his turbulent emotions. However, this quiet follower now understands that Achilles is making a grave mistake. As he cannot further hurt Achilles' bleeding ego, Patroclus only asks that he be temporarily offered the command of the soldiers dressed as Achilles. His gesture frightens the Trojan adversaries, but only until Hector, their prince, engages and kills him (Patroclus) in battle. Only then, Achilles understands that his return to war was long overdue. Through his supreme sacrifice, Patroclus offered Achilles a gentle reminder of his importance in the war. Far from offending his powerful friend, Patroclus' gesture is a form of mentoring, a way of raising Achilles from torpor without challenging his position. Patroclus' followership, far from being the work of a yes-man, implied a subtle criticism of Achilles' stubbornness, combined with devoted support, humility, and self-sacrifice. His brief command and death restored Achilles' leadership and prevented the loss of the war. Students will be asked to evaluate Patroclus' supportive behavior towards Achilles, and to discuss the type of followership he displays, and his leading potential in times of crisis. |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource. |
| ISBN: | 9781529621259 1529621259 |