When in Rome, do as the Romans do...

I sat across from my client, a high-performing executive who had requested coaching after what they described as "the most challenging quarter of my career." Their normally composed demeanour had given way to visible exhaustion. "I've been working sixteen-hour days," they confessed, "monitoring every project, triple-checking every decision. I thought if I could just control everything perfectly, we'd hit our targets." They sighed deeply. "Instead, I've alienated my team, my health is suffering, and ironically, our results are worse."

My client had fallen into a trap that ensnares many ambitious professionals—the illusion that success comes from controlling every variable in an inherently unpredictable business landscape.

As we talked further, I introduced them to Stoicism, particularly the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. "The ancient Stoics understood something profound," I explained. "They recognised that peace and effectiveness come not from controlling external events, but from mastering our internal responses to them."

Their eyes widened with recognition. "So I've been exhausting myself trying to control exactly what Stoicism teaches is impossible to control?"

"Precisely," I nodded. "But there's good news. The Stoics offer practical wisdom for thriving amidst that very uncertainty."

So what can we learn from Marcus Aurelius?



1. Maintain Perspective Through Adversity

Marcus Aurelius taught that external events are neither good nor bad in themselves—it is our interpretation that assigns such values. In the workplace, this means viewing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

When faced with a difficult project or demanding client, pause and ask yourself, "Is this truly harmful to me, or merely challenging?" By separating your emotional reaction from the situation itself, you can respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. This measured approach builds your reputation as someone who remains composed under pressure and inspires confidence in your team.

2. Focus on What You Can Control

"Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens," wrote Marcus Aurelius. In any workplace, countless variables lie beyond our influence—market conditions, executive decisions, or colleagues' actions.

Direct your energy toward your sphere of influence: your own thoughts, actions, and responses. When team members observe your commitment to excellence in areas within your control rather than complaining about circumstances, they naturally gravitate toward this productive mindset. This approach transforms workplace culture from one of blame to one of responsibility and action.

3. Practice Honest Self-Assessment

The Stoic practice of evening reflection, where one examines their day's actions with brutal honesty, remains powerful. Marcus advised regular self-examination, asking: "What vice have I cured today? What passions opposed? What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired?"

In professional life, this translates to consistent self-improvement through honest evaluation. After projects or meetings, ask yourself what went well, what could improve, and what lessons you can apply moving forward. This practice builds integrity—people respect leaders who acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and strive for genuine growth rather than maintaining a façade of perfection.

4. Cultivate Empathy Through Understanding Human Nature

Marcus Aurelius frequently reminded himself that difficult people act as they do because they lack understanding. He wrote, "When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly."

This isn't pessimism but preparation—recognising human nature allows you to respond with compassion rather than frustration. When colleagues witness your ability to work productively with challenging personalities without becoming reactive, your influence and leadership capacity naturally expand. Teams flourish under leaders who understand human psychology and approach conflicts with wisdom rather than emotion.

5. Find Purpose in Service to Others

Perhaps most importantly, Marcus emphasised that our nature as human beings is to work for the common good: "We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower."

In the workplace, this means viewing your role through the lens of contribution rather than personal gain. Ask regularly: "How does my work serve others?" Whether supporting teammates, solving client problems, or creating value for customers, framing your work as service creates deeper satisfaction and resilience through difficult periods.

When your team recognises that you genuinely care about collective success above personal recognition, trust deepens, collaboration improves, and performance naturally elevates.

Like my client, many of us exhaust ourselves trying to control the uncontrollable. The wisdom of Marcus Aurelius transcends the centuries precisely because it addresses this fundamental human challenge. By implementing these Stoic principles—maintaining perspective, focusing on what you can control, practicing honest self-assessment, cultivating empathy, and finding purpose through service—you build not just a more effective professional presence but a more fulfilling relationship with your work itself.

In the words of the philosopher-emperor himself: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." Choose thoughts that serve your highest professional purpose, and watch as both your reputation and your team's performance transform.