Paul Vanderbroeck with newly published "Lead like Julius Caesar"
Another local author contacted us with their newly published book. We caught up with Paul Vanderbroeck, an executive coach, and asked a few questions.
What has been the inspiration behind "Lead like Julius Caesar"?
Throughout my career in leadership development I have used historical examples in my work, whether that is through books or articles, as case studies in workshops or in individual coaching sessions. There are many successful leaders in history. What makes Caesar stand out is the accumulation of achievements. Whether you look at military leadership, pollitical leadership, change management, organisational leadership, talent management, communication and even as a writer, Caesar alsways ends up in the top five of all leaders, while never being perfect. It was worth digging into.
International mobility has been around for a long time. Caesar spent more than half of his career abroad as an expatriate, which I also talk about in the book. Some of these assignments were short: 1-2 years; one (in Gaul) was long: 9 years. They were always split assignments, i.e. where his family stayed in Rome. Caesar’s stints abroad were both challenging and beneficial for his career and his peronal life.
Have you been working on this idea forever?
As an Ancient Historian, with a PhD in Roman Leadership, Julius Caesar has been on my mind often. It is more recently that I have discovered how complex and multidimensional he is as a person and a leader. After my book on women leaders in historty, it was time to look at another case study.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
Providing just enough historical context for people to understand the story without writing a book of history.
What are your plans for the future?
The new thing about this book, is the application of modern leadershp developoment models to Julius Caesar’s leadership, career and personality. That proved to be quite insightful. My next project is to go back to the four women leaders I wrote a book about and do the same with them.
Later this year there will be a German version coming out for those who prefer to read in that language.
What is your favorite part of the book and why?
Chapter 2, which describes Caesar’s early life and upbringing. I know from my coaching how early life experiences provide obstacles and opporunities for leaders later in life as well as how they mold a person’s ambition and motivation. I really enjoyed discovering how impactful this period was for Caesar, notably the role of his mother.
FIVE BOOKS website recently put Paul's book as number one!
Do you have a few readers that can give a quote?
“This book stands out because it systematically analyses Caesar’s behavior, career and personality through the lens of modern leadership theories. As a result, its conclusions are more profound and insightful than you usually get from a biography of a successful leader. A must-read for both junior and senior leaders who are looking for an inspiring benchmark.” Jean-François Manzoni, Professor of Leadership & Organizational Development and former President, IMD International, Lausanne, Switzerland
"This book about the making of Julius Caesar is an enlightening exploration into leadership development. The lesson for our times is that leaders are made as much from their low points as their ‘highs’. That they learn as much from failure as from success, and harness the lessons to master the next challenge. You’ll never read history quite the same again…" Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, CEO, 20-first, London, UK
Lead Like Julius Caesar
Timeless Leadership Lessons from History's Most Influential Leader
Author: Paul Vanderbroeck
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-83223-9
214 pages
BOOK LAUNCH: “Lead Like Julius Caesar” by Paul Vanderbroeck
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
19h
Maison Rousseau et Littérature (MRL)
Grand-Rue 40
1204 Genève
Get your free ticket for the book launch here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1658677231249?aff=oddtdtcreator
Get your copy of the book in advance via this link and enter the discount code SPRAUT to get 20% off ! You can choose the ebook or the paperback with free delivery.
Or order Lead Like Julius Caesar here: http://bit.ly/47BBgaD
Dr. Paul Vanderbroeck
Maximizing Potential by Leveraging Difference
Executive Coach
vanderbroeckp@gmail.com
Instagram: paul_on_leadership
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenLeadershipStrategies/
Medicum: https://medium.com/@vanderbroeckp
Paul Vanderbroeck, PhD, is a historian, leadership scholar and executive coach. He has accompanied many leaders and high potential individuals across the world in their leadership careers. Among his publications are two business books: Leadership Strategies for Women (Springer, 2014) and The International Career Couple Handbook (2021).
