Leadership Lessons from Napoleon’s Mail Strategy

Napoleon was a quirky little guy.

One of his oddities was how he handled his mail.

His secretary was instructed to hold it for three weeks before giving it to him.

Ryan Holiday writes, “When he finally did hear what was in a letter, Napoleon loved to note how many supposedly important issues had simply resolved themselves and no longer required a reply.” (Stillness is the Key, pg. 30)

As leaders, we often fall into the trap of thinking everything is urgent.

We believe everything needs our attention—and needs it now!

But when we focus on the urgent, we begin to ignore the important.

In reality, very few true emergencies require us to divert our focus from the mission and vision.

By delaying his mail, Napoleon focused on what truly mattered.

In his mind, if it’s still a problem three weeks from now, it’s worth his attention. If not—it resolved itself.

As leaders, we love to be needed.

Problems others can’t solve often become our calling. It makes us feel indispensable.

But your job isn't to solve every problem.

Your job is to equip your team so they can solve the problems and grow stronger.

When an issue crosses your desk, ask:

— Should my team have handled this?

— Or is there a piece of it that only I can address?

My advice? Push 90% of issues back to your team. Let them brainstorm. Let them own the outcome.

Instead of offering solutions, ask for three possible answers—and which one they’d choose, and why.

That’s how you build decision-makers.

That’s how you stay focused on the mission.

Be like Napoleon.

Turn crises into coaching moments.

Stay focused on what’s important.

Be encouraged—you’re not the only leader who’s fought these battles.

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Intersecting Life, Luxury and Leadership,‍

‍Chris Adams