Saladin.

This is coolbert:

From that April 2015 edition of BBC History magazine:

"HOW TO LEAD LIKE SALADIN"

Sultan and highly respected Islamic leader in opposition to the Crusaders. Dante and others of the early Renaissance period having the highest degree of admiration for Saladin.

"WHEN THE FIRST MANUAL OF CHIVALRY WAS WRITTEN, WITH EUROPEAN KNIGHTS IN MIND, SALADIN WAS THE ARCHETYPE OF THE CHIVALROUS WARRIOR!!! SUCH WAS THE IMPRESSION THIS MAN MADE UPON THE CRUSADER AND EUROPEAN KNIGHT!!"

See my prior Military Thoughts blog entry concerning Saladin and his chivalrous behavior.

Those leadership traits of Saladin to include:

1. "Learn from the best."

2. "Show no mercy."

3. "Have a cause worth fighting for."

4. "Be prepared to negotiate."

5. "Put your life on the line."

6. "Live a simple, austere life."

7. "Keep your promises."

8. "Extend the hand of friendship."

Saladin could be hard when he needed to be hard, magnanimous when he could be magnanimous.

Saladin also functioning as a generalissimo as I understand that meaning of the word. Wielding both political power and in command of the army on the battlefield at the same time.

coolbert.