I recently completed the Netflix TV series Marco Polo and although the series bore the Italian adventurer’s name it was Kublai Khan, the ruler of the Khan dynasty that stole the show. Obviously a leader who’s able to govern a landmass stretching from current day Korea in the East to Iran in the West and Vietnam in the South had a number of characteristics that went beyond instilling wrath and fear in his people.
Kublai Khan was the grandson of the great Genghis Khan who founded the Mongol Empire in 1206 and over time established Mongolian rule from North China to Persia. Interesting fact: 1 out of 200 men in the world today can trace their lineage back to and are therefor direct descendants to Genghis!
Kublai’s, born in 1215 assumed the title Khan of Khan’s in 1260 and after seeing off his younger brothers claims to the throne (read he killed him) focused all his attentions on uniting China and bringing the Chinese Song Dynasty under Mongol rule. In addition to being the Great Khan of the Mongols he also was the first non-Chinese emperor of a unified China until his death in 1294.
But with all that royal blood and success in governing an almost unimaginable kindom, what sets Kublai Khan apart as a leader from his contemporaries, was his interest in the outside world and his tolerance for diversity.
The Beginning of Outside-In Thinking
Kublai was probably one of the first believers of what Dave Ulrich now calls Outside – In thinking. He built relationships and took in all kind of emissaries from different parts of the world to learn from them and promote science, art and trade that lead to economic, cultural and scientific breakthroughs for his empire.
Take for example, his victory of the Song which was a result of using an invention from Persia. Kublai’s armies used a trebuchet (a type of catapult) to throw huge rocks and thunder crash the walls of the great cities of the Song. The technology to build a trebuchet was important for their victory and could have been ignored if Kublai wasn’t open to adopting new ideas.
The famous Marco Polo was one of the emissaries he made part of his court. A famous conversation between Kublai and Marco highlighting his passion to learn from others goes:
“But which is the stone that support the bridge?” Kublai Khan asks.“The bridge is not supported by one stone or another,” Marco answers, “ but by the line of the arch that they form.”
Kublai Khan remains silent, reflecting. Eventually, the Great Khan adds: “ Why do you speak to me of the stones? It is only the arch that matters to me!”To which Polo retorts: “Without stones there is no arch”
Adopting New Ideas
His interest of other culture was not limited to science and trade. He was also very tolerant to foreign religions and his inclination towards modern Chinese culture. Kublai was a great sovereign leader who led his regions to prosperity. He was inclined towards modernization and was not threatened by new ideas – in fact he welcomed and adopted them, leaving behind old traditions and ideas.
So the one lesson that we can learn from the great Khan of Khan’s is:
Don’t isolate yourself and ignore what’ s happening around you. Instead, learn from others, embrace new ideas and apply them to the advantage of the people you lead and for yourself.
Kublai Khan and the leadership lessons we draw from his rule inspired me to look at other Asian leaders who have left a mark either on their nation, region or even the whole world. So over the next couple of weeks I’ll cover lessons from these great inspirational leaders:
- Ho Chi Minh
- Lee Kwan Yew
- Rashid Al Makhtoum
Let me know if you want me to add any other Asian leader to the list and I will certainly check it out. I hope you’ve subscribed to the blog so that you don’t miss out on the stories of these awesome people.
Image Credit: Netflix
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