Blog: Claudius and Xinchen as Leaders

What do you think of Claudius and Xinchen as leaders? Which one is the better leader… why? Make extensive notes in the margins of the handout as you read and reflect.

Claudius, the Roman emperor who reigned from 41-54 C.E., was known for his accomplishments in completed the ignored and forgotten tasks of an aqueduct, the Lake Fucine drainage channel, and the Ostia harbor. Shao Xinchen was recognized for building "water gates and dikes" (line 8) to "expand the irrigated land," (line 9). Although they are both great leaders because of their sedulous natures, I would consider Shao Xinchen to be the better leader of the two because of his genuine concern for the people. Claudius did display strong concentration and initiative on the public works water projects, but Suetonius does mention how he had "30,000 men at work all the time without interruption," (lines 14-15), and this could imply "work of great difficulty" (lines 13-14) being performed without reasonable, humane conditions. Sao Xinchen, on the other hand, had more evidence provided for having both a hard-working attitude and a genuine concern for the people; he did some of the manual work on his own, as he himself "inspected" (line 7) and "dug canals" (line 8). Further, he wanted to make sure the people were equal (lines 12-14). He recognized their immediate needs because "people obtained benefits" (line 10) from his work. Though Claudius was accomplished, Xinchen was too, and at the same time he was more people-driven, and his work revolved around the benefits and equality of the people. A good leader not only dictates, but sees the needs of the people.