Leadership

Think Like a Stoic: Timeless Leadership Principles for Modern Entrepreneurs

Ryan Holiday discusses how Stoic philosophy can help entrepreneurs strengthen leadership skills, sharpen decision-making, and maintain resilience during tough times.

Ryan Holiday explains that Stoicism helps entrepreneurs strengthen leadership skills, sharpen decision-making, and maintain a resilient mindset during tough times.

4
58 minJul 24, 2026Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing)

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Ryan Holiday: Think Like a Stoic, Timeless Leadership Principles for Modern Entrepreneurs | Leadership | YAPClassic

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Key takeaways

What to know before you press play.

01

Foundations of Leadership Through Experience

Ryan Holiday's leadership approach was shaped by patience and years of unglamorous work, including apprenticing under Robert Greene and serving as marketing director at American Apparel.

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02

Stoicism for Decision-Making and Resilience

Stoic principles help leaders strengthen their skills, make clear decisions under pressure, and maintain a resilient mindset during challenging periods.

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03

The Role of Virtue and Ego in Leadership

Effective leadership involves mastering the four Stoic virtues for personal development and recognizing the dangers of ego in decision-making processes.

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04

Building Ethical Habits for Productivity

Stoicism drives productivity by encouraging the building of ethical habits and leadership skills that support long-term success.

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Ask GenPod next

Keep the question moving.

01

How can the four Stoic virtues be applied to modern marketing challenges?

02

What specific habits can entrepreneurs adopt to reduce ego in leadership?

03

How did working with Robert Greene influence Ryan Holiday's understanding of human nature?

Background reading

The context behind the episode.

Career Background

From Apprentice to Marketing Director

After dropping out of college at 19, Ryan Holiday apprenticed under bestselling author Robert Greene, learning writing, research, persuasion, and human nature. He later became the marketing director of American Apparel at age 21, experiences that laid the foundation for his rise as a bestselling author and leading voice on Stoicism.

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Author Profile

Bringing Stoicism to Mainstream Audiences

Ryan Holiday is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and media strategist. His books, including The Obstacle Is the Way and The Daily Stoic, have sold more than 2 million copies in 30 languages, helping leaders and creatives apply Stoic principles to overcome challenges.

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Questions

Questions to carry into the episode.

How did Ryan Holiday's early career shape his leadership approach?

His approach was shaped through patience and years of unglamorous work, including apprenticing under Robert Greene and working at American Apparel.

12
What specific benefits does Stoicism offer to entrepreneurs?

Stoicism helps entrepreneurs strengthen leadership skills, sharpen decision-making, and maintain a resilient mindset during tough times.

4
What are the dangers of ego in leadership according to the discussion?

The discussion highlights the dangers of ego in leadership as a key topic, alongside mastering clear decision-making under pressure.

1213
How does Stoicism drive productivity?

Stoicism drives productivity by helping individuals build ethical habits and leadership skills.

1415
What are the four Stoic virtues for personal development?

The episode covers the four Stoic virtues for personal development as a key component of the Stoic approach to life and business.

11

Experts

Voices named in the source.

Ryan Holiday

Bestselling author, entrepreneur, media strategist

17

Sources and disclosure

Where this guide comes from.

This listening guide is based on the episode 'Ryan Holiday: Think Like a Stoic, Timeless Leadership Principles for Modern Entrepreneurs' from the show Young and Profiting with Hala Taha.

  1. Publisher show notes

    Ryan Holiday's approach to leadership was shaped through patience and years of unglamorous work.

  2. Publisher show notes

    After dropping out of college at 19, he apprenticed under bestselling author Robert Greene, learning writing, research, persuasion, and human nature before becoming the marketing director of American Apparel at just 21.

  3. Publisher show notes

    Those experiences laid the foundation for his rise as a bestselling author and one of the world's leading voices on Stoicism.

  4. Publisher show notes

    In this episode, Ryan shares how Stoicism can help entrepreneurs strengthen leadership skills, sharpen decision-making, and maintain a resilient mindset during tough times.

  5. Publisher show notes

    In this episode, Hala and Ryan will discuss:

  6. Publisher show notes

    (00:00) Introduction

  7. Publisher show notes

    (01:32) Robert Greene’s Influence on Ryan’s Career

  8. Publisher show notes

    (09:52) Provocative Marketing Lessons From American Apparel

  9. Publisher show notes

    (18:18) Ryan’s Path Into Stoic Philosophy

  10. Publisher show notes

    (19:44) The Stoic Approach to Life and Business

  11. Publisher show notes

    (27:13) The Four Stoic Virtues for Personal Development

  12. Publisher show notes

    (32:21) Mastering Clear Decision-Making Under Pressure

  13. Publisher show notes

    (38:18) The Dangers of Ego in Leadership

  14. Publisher show notes

    (40:34) How Stoicism Drives Productivity

  15. Publisher show notes

    (41:52) Building Ethical Habits and Leadership Skills

  16. Publisher show notes

    (50:41) Stoic Habits for Profiting in Life

  17. Publisher show notes

    Ryan Holiday is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, media strategist, and one of the leading modern voices bringing Stoic philosophy to mainstream audiences.

  18. Publisher show notes

    He served as director of marketing at American Apparel before founding his creative agency, Brass Check.

  19. Publisher show notes

    Ryan’s books, including The Obstacle Is the Way and The Daily Stoic, have sold more than 2 million copies in 30 languages.

  20. Publisher show notes

    His work helps leaders and creatives apply Stoic principles to overcome challenges.

  21. Publisher show notes

    Sponsored By:

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  28. Publisher show notes

    Resources Mentioned:

  29. Publisher show notes

    Ryan’s Book, Trust Me, I'm Lying: bit.ly/TrustMeLying

  30. Publisher show notes

    Ryan’s Book, Right Thing, Right Now: bit.ly/RightThingNow

  31. Publisher show notes

    Ryan’s Podcast, The Daily Stoic: bit.ly/DailyStoicPod

  32. Publisher show notes

    Active Deals -youngandprofiting.com/deals

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    Key YAP Links

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  39. Publisher show notes

    Social + Podcast Services:yapmedia.com

  40. Publisher show notes

    Transcripts -youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new

  41. Publisher show notes

    Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Networking, Goal Setting, Strategic Planning, Time Management, Team Building

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