Power of Restraint: Learning from Cincinnatus & Washington - Ep.5

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is walk away.

In this episode I explore the lives of two men who understood that truth better than anyone: Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus and George Washington. These were leaders who were given immense power during times of crisis. They led with strength and resolve. But when their duty was done, they stepped down. They went home.

This isn’t just a history lesson. Whether you’re building a business, navigating a relationship, leading a team, or chasing your own goals, the idea of knowing when to let go matters. We live in a world that glorifies constant striving, "hustling" and grasping on to ambition. But history tells us something else. It tells us that the people we remember with the most respect are often the ones who had the courage to say “enough" before their disastrous fall. 

History does not smile upon those who did not heed this warning rooted all the way back to the Ancient Greek Myths of stories like Icarus and Narcissus. 

In this episode we look at what made Cincinnatus and Washington so different. We talk about the ancient myths and figures from history that have warned against the hunger for more. And we reflect on how restraint, humility, and walking away with dignity can be more powerful than any crown or title.

I hope this episode leaves you thinking not just about the past, but about your own life too. Because power is not just about what you take. It’s about what you choose not to.