Final answer:
Great leaders are reflective and attentive amidst chaos, carefully listening to multiple perspectives in decision-making, and achieving goals with strategic efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Great leaders turn down the noise low and long enough to be reflective and attentive to the subtle signals around them. This sentiment towards leadership underlines the importance of being calm and collected in the face of chaos and complexity. In the midst of empires and nations, a leader's ability to tune out distractions and focus on the gentle stirrings of life and hope is crucial. This could mean listening to the nuanced opinions in a group meeting, whether it involves tribal, party, or indigenous leaders, understanding that while not every voice can shape policy, inclusivity can lead to solutions that better reflect the group's preferences. Similarly, a skillful leader, as mentioned in ancient tactics, achieves victory not through overt aggression but through strategic maneuvering and efficiency.