Intro
Immanuel Kant was a categorical nightmare for me as a teenager. The big names in German philosophy always instinctively filled me with discomfort. These were the dry, boring, dusty texts we struggled over in school.Over time, I’ve grown bolder and more patient with old texts and philosophers. Surprisingly, Kant’s principles are quite relevant and refreshing for modern leaders who want to focus on ethical actions.
Who was Kant
Who was Kant? Immanuel Kant was born in 1724 in Königsberg, just 80 kilometres from where my mother was born. He lived during the Enlightenment, a time of great change in social and philosophical norms across Europe. He is famous for works like ‚Critique of Pure Reason‘ and ‚Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals,‘ which still influence philosophy today. Here are six facts about Kant that would impress at any dinner party:
- Kant never left his hometown of Königsberg.
- He was known for his meticulous daily routine, which he rarely changed. He always woke up at 5 AM.
- Kant laid the groundwork for modern democracy and moral philosophy.
- Kant’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of autonomy and the capacity for self-legislation.
- He shaped the categorical imperative, a rule for assessing moral actions.
"Act only according to that maxim, whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law."
- Immanuel Kant, This is a formulation of Kant's Categorical Imperative found in his "Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals" (1785).
Kant's life
Kant’s Life: Immanuel Kant was not poor, but he lived a modest and reclusive life. As a professor at the University of Königsberg, he had a steady income that provided financial stability but not wealth. His lifestyle was marked by discipline and routine. Kant’s regular and methodical daily routine earned him the nickname ‚the Königsberger clock,‘ as citizens could set their clocks by his daily walks. Here is a typical daily schedule (from the book Daily Rituals by Mason Currey):
- Early morning: Kant got up very early, often at 5 AM, and spent the first hour of the day in bed, where he thought and meditated.
- Morning: After getting up, he dedicated himself to writing and academic work. He read, revised his writings, and prepared his lectures.
- Noon: At exactly 12:45 PM, his daily walk began, which lasted exactly one hour. This was his only break from work during the day.
- Afternoon and evening: After his walk, Kant had lunch and then continued his academic work until the evening. In the evenings, he often hosted guests for dinner, where lively discussions took place.
- Night: Kant went to bed early, usually by 10 PM. This strict routine helped him produce a vast amount of philosophical work and simultaneously allowed him to maintain a social life, albeit in a very structured framework.
The book "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" by Mason Currey is filled with descriptions of the day-to-day practices of famous creatives.
What are Kant’s laws of morality?
Immanuel Kant’s moral laws, often referred to as the „categorical imperative,“ can be explained in simple language as follows: Always act according to the rule that you would make into a universal law. This means that before every action, one should consider whether it would be okay if everyone else acted the same way. Kant believes that moral rules should apply to everyone, regardless of circumstances or personal desires. He also emphasizes that people should always be treated as ends in themselves and not merely as means to another end. This means we should respect and preserve the dignity of others, rather than using them just to achieve our own goals.
Kant’s 5 AM wake-up routine reminded me of an American management guru who preaches the same. Robin Sharma’s 5 AM Club has popped up on my LinkedIn several times. My current best is 6:30 AM, but I’m slowly working my way earlier. This similarity between a modern self-help guru and an Enlightenment philosopher made me curious to explore their methods and philosophies further.
Kant meets Sharma
Robin Sharma is a Canadian writer, speaker, and former lawyer known for his leadership and personal mastery expertise. He gained international fame with his book ‚The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,‘ a global bestseller on self-improvement and spiritual growth. Sharma is also the founder of Sharma Leadership International Inc., which offers training and coaching for individual and organizational excellence. Both Kant and Sharma value morning routines and discipline. Kant’s strict daily schedule and Sharma’s ‚5 AM Club‘ highlight how structured mornings lead to mental clarity and productivity.
How can we apply the wise thoughts of the past to today?
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Universal Standards: Leaders should set rules that apply to everyone, including themselves. Leaders must consider if they would want to live by the rules they set for others.
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Respect Individuality: Treating employees as mere means to an end is unacceptable. Leaders should respect their team members‘ individual goals and rights and support their well-being and growth.
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Promote Autonomy: Good leadership encourages independence and self-responsibility. This strengthens employees‘ confidence and the team’s moral backbone. Kant’s principles provide ethical guidelines for leaders who prioritize fairness, respect, and integrity. In a world where leadership is often driven by quick decisions and financial results, Kant’s ideas offer a needed perspective on moral behavior in business.
"The secret of success is to turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one."
— based on Robin Sharma
What can leaders learn from Kant and Sharma? I identified three Ethical Leadership Principles:
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Consistency is key: Like Kant, modern leaders show that consistent routines boost efficiency.
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Prioritize ethics: Kant’s categorical imperative urges leaders to choose actions as if they could become universal laws.
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Reflection as a tool: Both Kant and Sharma use quiet morning hours for reflection, a critical approach for effective and self-leadership.
From Theory to practice
Now it’s your turn. Let’s move from theory to practice with three questions to reflect on, helping you apply these timeless insights in your leadership journey:
"Thoughts without content are empty, intuitions without concepts are blind."
- Immanuel Kant
Conclusion
Kant and Sharma may come from different centuries and countries, but their teachings on morning routines and discipline are timeless and show that the foundations of successful leadership remain constant.