As leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs, we’re on a journey not only to grow our organizations but also to grow ourselves. One of the most profound books to aid in this journey is Arete: Activate Your Heroic Potential by Brian Johnson. Through his work, Johnson—also the creator of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation—has crafted a guide to achieving excellence, or arete in Greek, which means striving to become our best selves. Here’s why Arete is a must-read for leaders across sectors who aim to inspire, influence, and impact those around them.
1. Elevating Leadership Through Arete: A Blueprint for Excellence
Leaders today are called to a high standard. Whether you're running a business, guiding a nonprofit, or steering your entrepreneurial journey, you know that “good enough” just isn’t enough. The path of arete emphasizes continuous improvement, a relentless commitment to growing into the best version of oneself. For managers and executives, this is especially powerful. Leading others becomes transformative when we lead from a place of strength, resilience, and self-mastery.
Arete provides practical, timeless wisdom to help you cultivate these qualities. The book and the Heroic Platform offer tools to build daily habits rooted in virtues like courage, wisdom, and integrity, which are essential in effective leadership. In embodying these virtues, leaders foster an environment where excellence becomes the standard, encouraging teams to rise to new levels of productivity and innovation.
2. Learning to Lead with Purpose and Passion
Brian Johnson emphasizes that true leaders don’t just manage; they inspire. And inspiration comes from within. Arete shows readers how to uncover their deepest motivations, making sure they’re aligned with actions and decisions. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get lost in the grind, yet leaders who keep their purpose clear become resilient in the face of setbacks.
This focus on purpose is paramount. Working within mission-driven communities, there’s an opportunity to bridge personal growth with organizational impact. Leaders and entrepreneurs who internalize the principles in Arete bring a renewed sense of mission to their work, energizing those around them and enhancing their organization’s cultural and social impact.
3. Building Resilience and Grit for Sustainable Success
Leaders are often tested by challenges, both external and internal. How we respond to setbacks, failures, and adversity largely defines our success. Arete emphasizes resilience—building mental, physical, and emotional strength to weather any storm. By practicing resilience, leaders can model how to approach challenges with composure and determination, a trait that inspires confidence and loyalty within teams.
Johnson’s Heroic platform includes a wealth of resources to help leaders strengthen resilience through practical exercises, daily routines, and mental training. Leaders in all areas, from nonprofits to startups, benefit immensely from adopting these practices, finding that resilience becomes second nature. In a world that rarely lets up, this ability to keep going, adapting, and finding a way forward becomes indispensable.
4. Fostering a Culture of Arete Within Your Organization
Leaders set the tone for their organizations, and those who embody arete create environments that encourage others to do the same. When leaders pursue their potential, they create a ripple effect, empowering everyone in the organization to strive for excellence. This concept is at the heart of Arete, and it’s an ideal Johnson reinforces through Heroic.us—a community dedicated to supporting people in their quest for self-mastery and meaningful contribution.
By reading and applying Arete, leaders can foster a team culture that thrives on purpose, accountability, and support. Imagine a workplace where everyone is invested not just in the company’s goals but in one another’s personal growth. It’s a powerful paradigm that can transform an organization from within, making it more cohesive, innovative, and resilient. And for entrepreneurs, this focus on building a strong culture early on can be the difference between a fleeting venture and a lasting legacy.
5. A Practical Guide for Everyday Excellence
Arete isn’t just about lofty ideals; it’s practical. Brian Johnson brings a down-to-earth approach that helps readers integrate these teachings into their daily lives. The book includes simple, actionable steps to begin living with purpose and discipline, making it accessible for even the busiest leaders. And through Heroic, Johnson has crafted an ecosystem of tools and community support to sustain this journey of growth.
The goal is not just professional success but personal fulfillment, this practical aspect of Arete makes it a game-changer. It’s a blueprint that helps leaders commit to excellence in small ways each day, adding up to a profound impact over time.
6. The Power of Habit: Turning Virtues into Routine
One of the most powerful takeaways from Arete is the emphasis on habits. Leaders are only as strong as their daily routines, and the book provides a roadmap for building habits that reinforce core virtues. Through repetition, these virtues—such as integrity, kindness, courage—become automatic responses, positively influencing every interaction.
Heroic offers additional tools to track these habits, providing accountability and momentum. Leaders looking to maximize their potential can leverage this combination of insights from Arete and real-time tools from Heroic develop a steady cadence of personal and professional growth.
Closing Thoughts: Step Into the Arena with Arete
Reading Arete by Brian Johnson isn’t just about enhancing your leadership skills; it’s about transforming who you are as a leader. For entrepreneurs, business owners, and nonprofit leaders alike, this book offers a pathway to true greatness. By embracing arete, you’re not only enriching your life but also elevating those around you, ultimately fostering a culture of excellence and purpose.
If you’re ready to step into the arena of leadership with a renewed sense of purpose and the practical wisdom to achieve it, Arete is an indispensable guide. Join us at MAC6 and / or Heroic Arizona in creating a community of leaders dedicated to achieving their heroic potential—and in doing so, making a positive difference in the world. Not in Arizona, no problem, let us know at MAC6 or Heroic Arizona and we will point you in the right direction.
Scott McIntosh
Co-Founder, MAC6 and HeroicAZ
Hello MAC6 and Heroic Arizona Communities, and beyond,
First as a statement of truth, at least my truth, we are not nearly as divided as we are made to feel by modern day media.
Why? Science tells us that our brains evolved to focus on negativity—an adaptation from the days when quick responses to threats like saber-toothed tigers were critical to survival. Only in more recent times have we been able to truly stop and “smell the roses.”
Phil Stutz, in Heroic terms, describes the challenges and opportunities of modern-day life:
With Election Day upon us, many of us are feeling the weight of these words. No matter what the outcome, many will be unhappy. The question is: will we let that unhappiness consume us, or can we refocus on what we can control and influence in our own lives?
If we look around our MAC6 Community of Communities and beyond, we’re reminded that most of us are not divided, we’re simply getting on with life. Just two weeks ago, we hosted the HeroicAZ Launch Event at MAC6, with over 140 people joining together for an evening of inspiration, laughter, and connection. If we took a poll that night, we’d likely find diverse perspectives on today’s election—but what mattered most was our shared commitment to making a positive impact.
True confidence is living in uncertainty. Let’s all lean into uncertainty as we forge a better world together.
As I personally contemplate today’s election, one of life’s most interesting curiosities is how people bonded by shared values can still propose very different solutions to our society’s challenges. Are conservatives and liberals truly so different?
If your mind feels like it’s racing today, there are tools that can help: Ancient Wisdom + Modern Science + Practical Tools. Heroic provides a practical way to address the stress and anxiety we’re experiencing, and the answer is to QUADRUPLE DOWN.
Heroic’s Founder and CEO Brian Johnson put it clearly in today’s Heroic +1: QUADRUPAL DOWN “THE GREATER THE CHALLENGES WE FACE (individually and collectively), THE GREATER COMMITMENT we need to have to dominating our protocol (individually and collectively).”
What’s a daily protocol? Simply a checklist of habits and actions we take to be our best. Just as pilots run through checklists before flying, a daily protocol helps us navigate life’s turbulence. What are your small daily habits in Energy, Work, and Love that support you through challenging times? Today and every day. Not only when you are feeling great, but most important when navigating troubling times, personal or societal.
If you haven’t established a daily protocol yet, MAC6 and HeroicAZ are here to help.
Although the election is not the focus, it’s a place to connect with like-minded people who can support you in your unique journey.
Together, let’s activate our heroic potential, no matter the challenges we face.
Best, Scott McIntosh
Dad and co-founder of both MAC6 and HeroicAZ
The Heroic Arizona (HeroicAZ) journey is about to begin, and we’re inviting YOU to be part of something truly transformative. On October 19th, Stephanie Clergé and Scott McIntosh will kick off this incredible community at MAC6 around Heroic, the world’s premier self-development platform. Click Here to Join HeroicAZ and Register to attend, in-person (recommended) or Virtual.
Why Heroic? It’s the system behind elite performers. Heroic is used at West Point, being rolled out to 70,000 U.S. Special Forces (Delta, SEALs, Rangers), and it’s trusted by elite sports teams like the Chicago Bulls and the NY Yankees. But here’s why it matters for YOU:
We’re initially building Heroic Arizona around three key groups:
Friends, imagine a world where 51% of humanity is flourishing. We’re starting right here in Arizona, and you can be part of it. Join us on October 19th for an inspiring evening filled with practical tools to help transform your life, your community, and the world.
Top 10 Reasons to Attend:
This is not your typical business event. It’s a Saturday evening—so bring your spouse or significant other and learn together how to transform your lives.
We can’t wait to see you on October 19th. Let’s flourish together! Register to Attend.
At MAC6, we have always believed in building a “community of communities”—a place where businesses, organizations, and individuals come together with the shared purpose of elevating humanity. Today, we are thrilled to announce the creation of Heroic Arizona (HeroicAZ), the first chapter in the world dedicated to the Heroic movement, aimed at ensuring that 51% of people on earth are flourishing by 2051.
A Legacy of Conscious Leadership
This is not the first time MAC6 has been at the forefront of a global movement. Over a decade ago, MAC6 was instrumental in founding Conscious Capitalism Arizona, the third chapter in the world following Chicago and Australia. For many years, Conscious Capitalism Arizona served as a model of success, inspiring the growth of over 50 chapters globally. The journey of Conscious Capitalism parallels the purpose and potential of HeroicAZ, both movements rooted in the same core mission: to elevate humanity and help people and businesses thrive.
You can learn more about the shared vision and mission of these movements in our earlier blog posts: From Conscious Capitalism to Heroic: Elevate Humanity and Thrive by 2051 and MAC6 Heroic Partnership.
MAC6: A Community of Communities
When we say MAC6 is a “community of communities,” we mean it in every sense. Our community extends far beyond the 80 businesses and 450 employees who call MAC6 home. It includes key partnerships with organizations like the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, Eliances, Local First Arizona, Conscious Capitalism Arizona, and now, HeroicAZ. With this new chapter, we are not only adding a dynamic new partner to our community but also expanding our mission to help people and businesses flourish.
Shared Purpose: Helping People Thrive
At the heart of MAC6 is our purpose: to help people and businesses thrive. This aligns seamlessly with Heroic’s mission to foster human flourishing on a global scale. The synergy between these purposes is evident as we collaborate to bring more learning opportunities to our community.
While MAC6 offers its own “Growth Academy,” the real growth happens when we bring our community members together—at events, workshops, and mastermind sessions—creating opportunities for everyone to learn from each other. HeroicAZ will play a crucial role in enhancing these experiences by providing additional tools and resources to help people flourish.
Heroic Benefits at MAC6 and Beyond
For the past three months, our MAC6 Growth Academy Weekly email has focused on the benefits of Heroic, including the incredible opportunity for our community members to use the Heroic Premium app for a full year at no cost. This app has been a game-changer, providing tools and strategies for personal growth, resilience, and well-being.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to shift the focus of the MAC6 Growth Academy to include even more diverse learning opportunities, such as health and wellness, strategy, team building, and much more. While we will continue to offer Heroic as a valuable set of tools, HeroicAZ will take on the mantle of launching a new “Heroic Growth Weekly” email to maintain a core focus on the benefits of Heroic.
Join Us in This New Chapter
We invite all our community members and partners to join us in celebrating the founding of HeroicAZ and embracing this new chapter in the Heroic.us movement. Together, we will work to ensure that more people are thriving, businesses are growing, and our community continues to be a beacon of hope, progress, and collaboration.
Welcome, Heroic Arizona, to our community of communities!
For more information, stay tuned for our upcoming events and workshops, or reach out to us directly at MAC6. We are here to help you thrive.
MAC6: Helping People and Businesses Thrive
By establishing Heroic Arizona, we’re not just adding another chapter to our story; we’re helping to write the story of a better future for everyone.
To learn more about MAC6 please join our MAC6 Growth Academy Weekly
To learn more about opportunities to engage with HeroicAZ please join our Heroic Weekly.