Chapter 13: Outsourcing & Strategic Alliances

In chapter XIII in ‘The Prince’: ‘Of auxiliaries, and of mixed and national troops’ Machiavelli a.o. states that troops of this kind may be useful and good in themselves, but they are always dangerous for him who calls for their assistance. If defeated the prince remains undone, and in victory, he will be in their power like a prisoner. Your ruin is certain with auxiliaries, who are all united in their obedience to another. A wise prince should exclusively upon his own troops of own citizens, and prefer defeat with them rather than victory with the troops of others, with whom no real victory can ever be won.

To what extent do Machiavelli’s thoughts apply to the roles and responsibilities of modern leaders from different countries, cultures and trades? What are the pros and cons in terms of outsourcing and strategic alliances?

Discover The Mind of a Leader…

Participants:
  Mads Øvlisen
  Torben Ballegaard Sørensen
  Dr. Ulrich Bez
  Garry Kasparov
  Stan Shih
  Richard Valdemar
  Bruce Cohen