History’s Greatest Leaders

From Elizabeth I to Joan of Arc, this season of History's Greatest Leaders has explored some of the past's most powerful people. But what are the recurring skills and traits that made them so formidable? In this special bonus episode, Mike Soutar speaks to HistoryExtra's David Musgrove about what he's learned from his conversations with the experts – and what looking to history can reveal about leadership today, in the 21st century.

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For more on the life and times of History's Greatest Leaders, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/⁠

Catch up on previous episodes on our YouTube channel here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra⁠

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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From peasant to martyr, rebellious teenager to national icon, Joan of Arc’s story is one of the most remarkable chapters of medieval history. But how much is it grounded in reality? And what does her meteoric rise, and equally dizzying decline, tell us about the importance of persuasion, self-belief, and leadership authority?

In this episode, Mike Soutar is joined by historian, author and broadcaster Janina Ramirez to explore those questions and more – and to investigate just how far having the courage of your convictions can take you.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Joan of Arc's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/⁠

Watch Mike’s interview with Janina on our YouTube channel here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra⁠

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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The trail of devastation that Genghis Khan left in his wake means that his name is now synonymous with brutality and bloodshed. But there’s another side to the medieval Mongol leader that we should also consider – his ability to manage a complex organisation. So how did he combine destruction with administration to become so terrifyingly successful? And why might this success have lessons for us in the 21st century?

To explore these questions and more, Mike Soutar is joined by historian and author Nicholas Morton, who offers new insights into why this figure of fear is more complicated than we might expect.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Genghis Khan's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/⁠

Watch Mike’s interview with Nicholas on our YouTube channel here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra⁠

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: ⁠https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/⁠

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She may not be well known to us today, but Zenobia – who was queen of what’s now Syria in the third century BC – definitely deserves to be. That’s because she took on the might of the Roman empire and, for a short time at least, emerged victorious. So how did she succeed where so many others failed? Was she a skilled leader, or merely an opportunist taking advantage of her opponent’s weakened circumstances?
In this episode, historian and author Shushma Malik talks to Mike Soutar about the remarkable story of this forgotten female leader – and whether her eventual downfall can offer any lessons about the dangers of aiming too high.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Zenobia's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Shushma on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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Few brands are as famous as Disney. From animation blockbusters to theme parks and TV series, it’s a name with enormous cultural cachet around the world. But what do we know about Walt Disney himself? Was he the avuncular, creative genius of his public persona, or do some of the darker tales about the man – of his ruthlessness and need for control – have some truth to them?

In this episode, Christopher Holliday – senior lecturer in liberal arts and visual cultures education at King’s College London – tells Mike Soutar about the man who came to represent an entire industry, and asks whether his story has lessons for creative leaders in the modern world.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Walt Disney's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Christopher on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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During the turbulent 18th century, few leadership positions in Europe were as dangerous as the Russian throne. Yet Catherine the Great – empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796 – managed to navigate this position of peril with aplomb. How did she succeed where so many others failed?

In this episode, historian, author and broadcaster Simon Sebag Montefiore talks to Mike Soutar about the remarkable powers of leadership that Catherine harnessed to shore up her authority, and why her networking sills remain an invaluable asset two centuries later.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Catherine the Great's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Simon on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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Samurai and statesman Tokugawa Ieyasu founded the dynasty that unified Japan in the early 16th century. His house ruled the country for more than 250 years. He’s a towering figure from the nation’s history – a man capable of ruthless, decisive action, but who at other moments actively sought to avoid conflict and waited for his enemies to make mistakes.

In this episode, Christopher Harding – senior lecturer in Asian history at the University of Edinburgh, and author of books including A Short History of Japan – guides Mike Soutar through the apparent contradictions of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s story, and reveals the lessons that this feudal lord can impart for the 21st century.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on Tokugawa Ieyasu's life and times, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Christopher on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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Britain's Second World War prime minister was an inspiring visionary who's often credited with saving western democracy through sheer force of will. Yet Churchill is also a man whose dogged determination, and uncompromising leadership style, could lead to tension and conflict.

In this episode, historian, author and TV producer Taylor Downing – whose books include The Army that Never Was: D-Day and the Great Deception – tells Mike Soutar about the pros and cons of Churchill's high-intensity approach to management, and considers whether his leadership skills would stand up in today's boardroom.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on the life and legacy of Winston Churchill, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Taylor on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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We often think of successful leadership in terms of steely resolve and decisive action. And one of history’s most famous rulers, Tudor queen Elizabeth I, was certainly capable of this strength and dynamism. But there’s another side to her story, too: a recurring tendency towards procrastination and indecision.

In this episode, Tracy Borman – chief historian at Historic Royal Palaces and the author of books including Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Revelatory True Story of the Mother and Daughter who Changed History – tells Mike Soutar why this apparent dithering may in fact have been a strategic masterstroke, and highlights the tips that the queen’s reign has to offer leaders today.

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GO BEYOND THE PODCAST

For more on the life and legacy of Elizabeth I, don’t miss our curated collection of articles, podcasts and videos: https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/beyond-the-podcast-historys-greatest-leaders/

Watch Mike’s interview with Tracy on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@historyextra

And check out the HistoryExtra app for our full archive here: https://www.historyextra.com/the-historyextra-app/

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What separates an ordinary leader from one who changes history?

Join entrepreneur Mike Soutar, author of Next Gen CEO and advisor on BBC One’s The Apprentice, for History’s Greatest Leaders, the new series from HistoryExtra. Starting Monday 20th July, expect ambition, courage and ruthlessness, as Mike explores what the stories of Elizabeth I, Winston Churchill and six other leaders can teach us today, in the 21st century.

Listen early and ad-free by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/

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