Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

Toward the end of his life, when Attila was growing weary, one of his final campaigns was the attempt to conquer Rome. Emperor Valentinian III refuses to listen to Aetius’s counsel that Attila is tired and weak and can, therefore, be defeated. Instead, the emperor arranges for Pope Leo the Great to act as a diplomat and save the empire. Although the content of their conversation is unknown, Attila and Pope Leo speak amicably and part ways as Attila retreats from his attack. Echoing this experience, Attila’s persona is adamant that negotiations “must be conducted in private” (83) lest other enemies gain an advantage by accessing the details of this process. Negotiations must be worked out in favor of both parties, or an agreement will never be reached; as he concludes, they must always be worked out “for the betterment of our nation” (85).

Unaccustomed to defeat, Attila is emotionally deflated by losing the battle against Aetius, his longtime foe. Unwilling to allow this loss to break him, however, Attila regroups and gathers himself in his desire to continue his victorious ways. His persona admits to the character flaws of the initial days of his leadership: “I was simply not prepared to suffer the anguish of so paramount a defeat” (87).