Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

The heartbeat of Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun is the interplay between the person and the persona of Attila the Hun. Each chapter of the book begins by speaking directly about Attila and the events of his life in the third person and then shifts to speech as though from the mouth of Attila himself in the first person. Each chapter also concludes with a list of aphorisms and proverbs (again in the first person) that succinctly summarize and expound upon the main themes of each chapter.

In the introduction, Roberts clarifies the precise nature of what he is doing with the book and the means through which he is doing it. The conceit of putting his main ideas in the mouth of a famous figure from the past is not a new one, but it serves as an effective rhetorical device by framing his advice and guidance within a historical context that makes sense as one that needed clear and useful leadership tactics. Briefing the reader on Attila’s life, childhood, and rise to power, Roberts shows how Attila’s personality and character developed through the experiences of his maturation. One of the principal motivations seems to have been Attila’s experience in the court of the Roman Empire when he was taken there as part of Roman diplomatic efforts to gain influence and knowledge of foreign customs in those regions which they had conquered but with which they were still unfamiliar.

Proving himself at a young age to be intelligent and cunning, Attila observed the various comings and goings of the political and military leaders of the day. The leadership qualities Roberts addresses cover the full range of desirable traits in anyone that could be elevated to a position of power. Importantly, many of the traits discussed are intellectual and emotional strengths, while little attention is given to physical prowess. One might call this a preference for both intellectual gifts and emotional intelligence; while physical stamina is listed as necessary, it is merely one of 17 different qualities that make up the ideal leader.

Notably, the first three chapters serve to set up the general characteristics of an ideal leader, along with the ideal qualities of the people over whom the leader rules. In the second chapter, the author dives into issues of desire and drive, covering Attila’s rise to power. Not only did Attila have a natural desire for power and influence, he also reacted to what he perceived as poor leadership in the king, Rugila, so that his desire to lead was equal parts personal ambition and altruistic concern for the common good of his people. The persona of Attila speaks at length about the need for leaders to dedicate themselves to the craft of leadership, which is just as much a personal ambition as a political one.

Cultivating personal virtues such as wisdom, courage, and patience will prepare a leader to take over when the time comes. Sacrifices need to be made to ascend to one’s desired place in life. Finally, the customs of the Huns are considered worthy of preservation and, in fact, the primary means by which the people are to be united. Unity, importantly, is defined just as much by the people’s connection to their history as it is by their unity with their contemporaries. The customs of the nation provide a guiding light and unifying bond. While the individual is never sacrificed as an individual—in other words, what makes each person unique is valued—the individual is always subordinate to the community. The community and the customs that define it are the primary good for which the Huns live and fight and die. The identity of the Huns survives and thrives because the people care to preserve their customs as good, rather than throwing them away for other customs or contenting themselves with taking on new customs by being conquered and subjugated.