5 Lessons in Leadership From Shakespeare’s ‘Henry V’

A lithograph print from a manuscript of Shakespeare's "Henry V." Public Domain

William Shakespeare’s play “Henry V” is one of his most popular history plays. In addition to the appeal of its lovely poetry, heroic protagonist, and epic events set during the Hundred Years’ War, the play also provides some profound meditations on the nature of leadership that we can all benefit from.

The play is concerned most of all with what makes a good king, and therefore what makes a good leader. As Shakespeare scholar Giddeon Rappaport wrote in his book “Appreciating Shakespeare,” “‘Henry V’ is a thrilling dramatization of what makes for excellence in a good king. In Henry, Shakespeare’s ideal king, we find virtue, justice, self-knowledge, wit, the power to inspire his followers, and humility before God.”

A 1900 photograph by Lizzie Caswall Smith of Lewis Waller as Henry V in an early 20th-century performance of the Shakespearean play. Public Domain

These and similar principles of leadership apply just as much today as they did about 1599, when the play was written. And they apply just as much to contemporary leadership as they do to medieval kings. We can continue to learn from them. Here are some of the most important ones highlighted in the play:

1. Weigh Decisions Carefully and Commit

“Henry V” focuses on the King Henry’s military campaign to claim the throne of France. But before launching this campaign, he wants to ensure that he possesses a right to the throne in light of the laws of succession of his time. He asks his advisors, “May I with right and conscience make this claim?” Only when he is assured of the moral grounds for his action does he commence the military operation.

But once he makes a decision, he sticks to it with determination: “Now are we well resolv’d, and by God’s help/ And yours, the noble sinews of our power/ France being ours, we’ll bend it to our awe.”

2. Take Your Responsibility Seriously

Throughout the play, Henry acts out of genuine concern for the good of his country and the soldiers on campaign with him. He recognizes that though the leader may have the most power, he also bears the greatest responsibility. The fate of his men and his kingdom are linked to his decisions. He knows that he ought to decide what’s in his followers’ best interest, even when that decision isn’t easy.

One example comes when he discovers a treacherous plot against him. Henry gives the traitors an opportunity to redeem themselves, but when they fail to do so, he upholds the law and punishes them. However, he clarifies that the punishment doesn’t result from personal hurt, but from his concern for the common good: “Touching our person seek we no revenge/ But we our kingdom’s safety must so tender/ Whose ruin you have sought, that to her laws/ We deliver you.”

Henry’s awareness of his grave responsibility to others appears prominently in a scene toward the end of the play. On the eve of a battle it seems certain he will lose, Henry laments the heavy burden of kingship. He carries so many men’s fates in his hands, and, in this case, likely bearing them toward their doom.

Upon the King! Let us our lives, our souls Our debts, our careful wives Our children, and our sins lay on the King We must bear all. O hard condition ... What infinite heart’s ease Must kings neglect, that private men enjoy!

At the same time, when things turn out well, Henry doesn’t take all the credit for himself but humbly attributes victory to God’s providence: “Praised be God, and not our strength, for it!”

3. Know When to Stand Firm

Henry’s treatment of the traitors provides a good example of when the king chooses to stand firm and uphold the law, even though he may not want to. He does it for the sake of the kingdom. Even Henry’s close friends do not receive special treatment when they have violated the law. When one of Henry’s old friends, a soldier named Bardolph, defies orders by looting and harassing French citizens, Henry doles out to him the same severe punishment that any other criminal would receive.

Through all this, he shows strength of character, even when his actions come at a personal cost. A true leader won’t be bent and blow about by the whims of others. His loyal followers have confidence in him partly because of his commitment to upholding order and acting in the best interests of the people without bowing to outside pressures.

4. Know When to Show Mercy

At the same time, Henry is far from tyrannical; his justice is tempered by mercy. The balance Shakespeare achieves in the character of Henry is an equilibrium between firmness and gentleness, as well as strength and compassion. It’s a paradoxical mixture that lies at the heart of successful leadership.

The night before the dreaded battle, King Henry walks disguised amongst his men, including the humblest, rank-and-file troops, offering them “a little touch of Harry in the night” to comfort and console. He encourages the men, sharing in their hard lot, eating the same food, bearing the same cold, and trying to rouse their confidence, even though internally he carries his own doubts.

During this nighttime escapade, the king enters into a lively argument with one of the soldiers who doesn’t know Henry’s true identity. They pledge to fight each other after the battle. When the battle is over and the soldier realizes who he challenged to a duel, the king rewards his honesty and forgives his offense.

A page from a pirated, incorrectly dated 1619 edition of Shakespeare's "Henry V." PD-US

5. Know How to Inspire Your Followers

Some of Shakespeare’s most rousing speeches come from “Henry V.” At key points in the play, Henry delivers beautifully crafted, deeply moving speeches to inspire his men. They set even the hardest hearts tingling with excitement and patriotism. Much of Henry’s success derives from his ability to share a vision with his followers and kindle in them the desire to be their best selves in the service of something bigger than themselves. The most famous of these speeches runs, in part, like this:

This day is called the feast of Crispian: ... He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’ Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’ Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names. Familiar in his mouth as household words ... Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.

Henry successfully makes the army feel like a single brotherhood through this speech, throwing his lot in with theirs, and he directs their thoughts to the future so that they imagine the heroic things they’ll do and how they’ll live in honor forever after because of it.

Henry V (L) exchanges a book with John Mowbray in a parchment illustration from 1411-1412. British Library, London. PD-US

When we read or watch Shakespeare’s masterful “Henry V,” we’re struck by the figure of this great man striding through the colossal events of the war, who seems to show forth all that is best in the idea of kingship. But we can do more than admire him; we can imitate his example in our own, small ways through the positions of leadership we may hold, however limited they may be. The historical setting and the scale of authority may be different, but many of the core principles maintain their timeless value and applicability today.

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