Habits of Churchill, Lessons from Napoleon, & The Holy Fire Inside Great Leaders — Andrew Roberts

Here are the top 10 key takeaways from historian Andrew Roberts' discussion with Tim Ferriss about the habits of Churchill, lessons from Napoleon, and the driving forces behind history's greatest leaders.

1. The importance of narrative in teaching history

Andrew Roberts emphasizes the profound impact of storytelling when teaching history. His first history teacher, Christopher Perry, made history come alive by teaching it as "the most exciting story you're ever going to hear" with the added advantage of being entirely true. Perry would dramatically impersonate historical figures like Charles I and Oliver Cromwell, thoroughly engaging his students through the excitement of unfolding historical narratives.

This narrative approach to history proved exceptionally effective. Rather than simply writing dates on a blackboard, Perry inspired genuine enthusiasm through theatrical presentation. The approach was so captivating that students effortlessly memorized hundreds of historical dates by the end of each term, demonstrating how emotional engagement enhances learning and retention.

2. The holy fire that drives great leaders

Both Napoleon and Churchill possessed what Roberts describes as a "holy fire" - not in a religious sense, but a deep spiritual conviction that what they were doing was right and necessary. This inner conviction allowed them to make momentous decisions without being paralyzed by doubt, even when those decisions impacted countless lives.

This sense of purpose was cultivated through education and self-study. Both leaders were extensively educated in military matters and devoted significant time to studying great historical figures like Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great. Their self-confidence, which could be viewed either as egotism or healthy self-assurance, provided the psychological foundation needed to bear the weight of command and make critical decisions under pressure.

3. Learning from historical mistakes

Churchill's greatness stemmed partly from his ability to learn from mistakes. Roberts notes that Churchill made numerous significant errors throughout his career - from his position on female suffrage to the disastrous Dardanelles campaign where over 100,000 allied troops were killed, wounded, or captured. What distinguished Churchill was his capacity to analyze these failures and adapt accordingly.

Democracy played a crucial role in this learning process. The constant criticism Churchill faced in the House of Commons forced him to defend his positions logically, helping to "prick the pomposity and hubris" that might otherwise have hindered his growth. This highlights the importance of accountability systems and feedback mechanisms in leadership development, suggesting that even great leaders need external checks to reach their potential.

4. The sense of personal destiny

Many great historical figures share a strong sense of personal destiny. Churchill famously wrote that when becoming Prime Minister, he felt as if he were "walking with destiny" and that his entire life had been preparation for that moment. Napoleon similarly believed he had a guiding star and needed to court "luck," which he personified as a woman he needed to woo.

Roberts acknowledges that such beliefs might seem irrational to modern sensibilities. However, he notes that both men had experienced numerous close brushes with death and accomplishments that reinforced this sense of being chosen for greatness. The belief in personal destiny provided psychological resilience and purpose during extremely challenging circumstances, though Roberts cautions that such convictions aren't exclusively found in benevolent leaders - figures like Hitler shared similar beliefs about providence.

5. Napoleon's comprehensive military genius

Roberts describes Napoleon as "the prime exemplar of war leadership" because of his unmatched versatility. While many military leaders excel in certain aspects of warfare, Napoleon uniquely mastered them all. He could succeed while advancing or retreating, when defending or attacking, and from various tactical positions.

This exceptional ability came from a combination of intensive study and practical innovation. Napoleon thoroughly studied military theory, including works like Comte de Guibert's 1772 book on strategy and tactics, which he implemented thirty years later. His development of the "corps system" - creating mini-armies that could march separately but converge for battle - revolutionized warfare. Roberts emphasizes that Napoleon's enemies only began defeating him after adopting his innovations, demonstrating how his military genius transformed the very nature of conflict.

6. The power of inspirational leadership

Both Napoleon and Churchill excelled at inspiring their followers through powerful communication. Napoleon believed that "appealing to the soul was the way to electrify men." Before the Battle of the Pyramids in 1799, he told his soldiers that "40 centuries look down upon you," placing their actions within a grand historical context and elevating their sense of purpose.

Churchill similarly used historical references in about 10% of his 1940 speeches, reminding the British that they had overcome difficult circumstances before. His references to figures like Sir Francis Drake and Admiral Nelson created a sense of historical continuity and resilience. This approach was particularly effective because Churchill had established credibility through his historical writings, including a biography of his ancestor, the first Duke of Marlborough.

7. The value of studying history for leadership

Roberts highlights Churchill's advice to a young American student: "study history, study history, for therein lies all the secrets of statecraft." This insight forms the core of Roberts' belief in history's practical value. Understanding historical patterns provides crucial context for comprehending current global dynamics and making informed decisions.

Statecraft - the ability to effectively run a country by juggling diplomatic, military, economic, cultural, and religious considerations - requires historical perspective. Roberts values this concept so highly that he chose "study history" as the motto for his coat of arms and named his podcast "Secrets of Statecraft." This perspective suggests that leadership education should prioritize historical knowledge as a foundation for practical governance.

8. The importance of disciplined writing habits

Roberts describes his intense writing process when working on complex historical narratives. When fully immersed in writing, he minimizes interruptions to maintain intellectual momentum. For particularly challenging chapters with many interconnected elements, he sometimes goes days without breaks beyond the absolute necessities, even avoiding showers to maintain his creative flow.

This dedication stems from his belief that maintaining mental continuity is essential when handling complex historical narratives. Roberts explains that when describing events like Churchill's first day as Prime Minister, where significant developments occurred minute by minute, maintaining focus is crucial. Breaking concentration risks losing the rhythm of creativity and the cohesive thread that makes history comprehensible to readers.

9. The value of critical feedback in writing

Roberts emphasizes the importance of having a skilled editor who challenges your work. His editor, Stuart Prophet, whom Roberts calls "Professor Perfect," provides rigorous feedback that improves the quality of his books. Prophet questions everything from historical details ("How wide was the river Po in 1796?") to the effectiveness of jokes and the rhythm of sentences.

Having someone with complementary expertise is invaluable for collaborative work. Roberts describes his successful partnership with General David Petraeus on their book about modern warfare. Their collaboration worked because of mutual respect and the recognition that their different perspectives - historian and military commander - created a more insightful analysis than either could produce alone. Roberts notes that such intellectual stimulation is vital since "life is a constant battle against boredom."

10. Cultural self-confidence and historical pride

Roberts expresses concern about declining pride in British history, noting that the percentage of Britons proud of their history has fallen from 86% to 56% in recent years. He attributes this to a "sustained attack" on the British Empire that emphasizes negative aspects while overlooking positive contributions like Britain's role in abolishing slavery.

This cultural shift worries Roberts because he believes that pride in one's past fosters confidence in the future. He sees similar concerning trends in America, such as the removal of Thomas Jefferson's statue from New York City Hall. To Roberts, such actions represent a form of "cultural suicide" that severs important connections to national heritage. He argues that while historical figures had flaws, their accomplishments like creating enduring constitutions and standing up to powerful empires deserve continued recognition and respect.