To lead effectively, it helps to understand what is the origin of most leadership fundamentals. I have put together a guide, which looks at where those core ideas come from, how they’ve changed, and why knowing their roots can make you a better leader. So, what are we waiting for, let’s jump straight into it!
The roots of modern leadership thinking
For centuries, leadership was simply about command, discipline, and hierarchy. Nowadays, many things have changed, and people see things differently. But what was the way to modern leadership thinking?
From military strategy to corporate theory
Many leadership fundamentals (mainly the outdated ones) have deep roots in military history. Ancient leaders like Sun Tze and Julius Caesar shaped the way people thought about strategy, loyalty, and order. Their principles were later adapted for business as companies grew in size and complexity during the Industrial Revolution.
By the early 20th century, military-style leadership had become the blueprint for running corporations. Top-down decision-making, rigid structures, and clear chains of command mirrored how armies operated. Early management thinkers like Frederick Taylor focused on efficiency and control—traits valued in both military and corporate environments.
Evolution from command to collaboration
But times have changed. As work became more knowledge-based and teams more diverse, leaders couldn’t just give orders anymore. They had to learn to connect others, communicate effectively, and inspire their workers. The shift from command to collaboration marked a major evolution in leadership fundamentals.
Thinkers like Peter Drucker began emphasizing the human side of leadership in the mid-20th century. He argued that leaders should empower people, not just direct them. Later models, like transformational and servant leadership, pushed even further, focusing on empathy, trust, and shared purpose.
Technology and globalization accelerated this shift. When teams are remote, cross-cultural, and specialized, rigid hierarchies don’t work well. Leaders today need to listen as much as they talk (or more!) and create environments where people can thrive, not just follow orders.
Why understanding the origin helps you lead better
If you don’t know where leadership ideas come from, you risk copying models that no longer fit the context. Using military-style leadership in a startup or creative team might (and most likely will) kill innovation, and sticking to rigid hierarchies in a fast-moving environment could slow everything down.
Avoiding outdated methods
Understanding the origin of leadership fundamentals helps you recognize which methods are outdated, and which still hold value. It lets you adapt instead of imitating and risking that your methods won’t land well. Some ideas from the past—like clarity, accountability, and discipline—are still useful. But they need to be balanced with flexibility, inclusion, and emotional intelligence.
Drawing inspiration from multiple disciplines
Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Today’s best leaders pull from a wide range of sources—psychology, sociology, sports, design thinking, even philosophy. That makes sense, because people are complex, and leading them well takes more than just one playbook.
How do these disciplines help you build a strong leadership skillset? Emotional intelligence research helps leaders understand motivation and conflict. Agile methods from software development emphasize iteration and feedback. Coaches in sports can teach lessons about resilience and team dynamics. Even ancient philosophy—like Stoicism—offers tools for staying calm under pressure. The list goes on, you get the gist.
The point is: leadership isn’t static. It evolves, just as society does. When you understand its roots, you can build your own style—one that’s informed, flexible, and ready for whatever challenges come next.
