alexander

Leadership Process Four: Directing Symbols 131
32: Sleeping Before the Battle at Issus
Appearances can immobilize an army. Rumors can arrest bravery.
Fear can halt hope. Alexander was exceptional at engineering
symbols to change appearances, undo rumors, and
render hope.
The second of the four great battles that Alexander fought
was at Issus. The two armies had passed each other and cut
off each other’s communications. Darius passed to the
north, intercepted some ambulances, and massacred the
men. This news enraged the Greeks, needless to say. At that
time, Alexander was south along the coast.
Alexander’s army was outnumbered, and his generals
were deeply concerned, a concern that spread to the troops.
The geographical setting was the tactical solution to the
concern. The exact location of the battlefield is unknown,
but even today it is clear that this plain is hemmed in on
the east by mountains and to the west by the Mediterranean,
which greatly restricted the ability of the numerically
superior Persians to deploy. Alexander slept past dawn, the
symbolism of which was not lost on the troubled generals.
By showing an arrogant disregard for the overwhelming size
of the opposition, Alexander broadcast unequivocal disdain
for the Persians, which helped quell his subordinates’ fears.
During the battle, Alexander broke through the center
at a critical moment, chased Darius from the field, and
caused the Persian army to break, rout, and run.