ABSTRACT
The incidence of philosophy comingling with leadership is rare, but some notable exceptions are worth referring to. This chapter argues that Bill Gates has many markings of a 21st-century philosopher-king, although the first half of his life does not seem to admit this model. For Gates, the excitement of a new dawn for the tech age and the lure of succeeding in his ambition trumped the ivory tower. Bill Gates’s philosophical optimism is steeped in deliberate thinking that depends mightily on reading. Nelson Mandela, known to black South Africans as “Madiba,” is recent history’s great-souled leader. Mandela stood for political moderation, which is something that does not generate enthusiasm and may also spark suspicion. Al Dunlap rose to fame because of his seemingly remarkable turn-arounds of companies in dire financial straits by aggressive downsizing. Between spectacular firings, massive downsizing, and choosing fear over love, on the surface, Dunlap appears like a modern-day prince.
