(CNN) -- There are certain elements of leadership that survive the centuries -- that are classical, says John Prevas, co-author of "Power Ambition Glory: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today." 

And while these features aren't necessarily a guarantee of success in the modern world, they can provide professionals with a framework around which success can be built, he says. 

So which leaders from the ancient past should you be looking to model your career on? 

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC) 

Alexander III of Macedon is the standard for leadership by which all others are measured, Prevas says. But does he merit his place as a leadership icon? 

"It's questionable," says Prevas. 

On the one hand, Alexander had a capacity for intense focus and was willing to sacrifice friends, family and personal fortunes to reach the top. 

But ambition fueled by a massive ego eventually proved to be Alexander's undoing, Prevas argues. 

Having defeated King Darius III in the Battle of Issus, the Persian king offered the marauding youngster the western half of his Persian Empire in return for his family who had been captured by the Macedonian army. 

Alexander's most senior commander, Parmenio, urged his young master to accept Darius's proposal and consolidate his power in the region. 

But Alexander ignored the advice, choosing instead to resume his conquest, capturing the Persian capital of Persepolis before hunting down and killing Darius. 

From there, Alexander continued eastwards conquering large parts of south central Asia before heading to India. But it was here that Alexander's exhausted army refused to carry on, thus ending his eastern escapade. 
Who co-Authored "Power Ambition Glory: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today." ?
What does he call features that survive centuries?
Where is the first leader from?
What was his name?
What was he intense about?
What fueled his ambition?
What did that lead to?
What king did he defeat in the Battle of Issus?
What did he receive for his victory?
What would be bartered for it?
Who had captured them?
Who was Alexander's senior commander?
Was he in agreement with Darius' arrangement?
What did Alexander do rather than heed Parmenio?
And what was Darius' fate?
How?
Where does Alexander's conquests end?
John Prevas
John Prevas
classical
 that are classical
Macedon
Macedon
Alexander
Alexander
focus
focus
a massive ego
 a massive ego
Alexander's undoing,
Alexander's undoing,
King Darius III
King Darius III 
the western half of the Persian Empire
the western half of his Persian Empire
Darius' family
his family 
the Macedonian army
 the Macedonian army
Parmenio
 Parmenio
No
But Alexander ignored the advice
he resumed his conquest
resume his conquest
Death
 killing Darius
Alexander killed him
capturing the Persian capital of Persepolis before hunting down and killing Darius
India
 India