To method-act the persona
and circumvent the ego

Dress – Cleopatra was extremely wealthy and took great care in her appearance, even authoring a scholarly treatise on cosmetics. Although she was Hellenic, Cleopatra often took on the dress of the Egyptian goddess Isis in official functions. While you are Cleopatra, you will take good care of your appearance. Pick a role model of someone whose appearance you would like to imitate and on occasion dress similarly to that person (without being creepy.) Make sure you adapt your clothing style to your situation, for example, when in New York City, wear black.

Manner – When walking around your place of work, look everyone you meet in the eyes and smile with a warm greeting. Greet people with their names to show that they are important to you. Be deliberate in your actions and conscious of your impact on others. Stand and sit tall in a queenly fashion.

Speech – You want to project a regal air by speaking clearly and calmly. Again, you want to adapt your speech to your situation and adopt the cadence and colloquialisms of those around you.

Know your family history – Cleopatra was very self-conscious of her role in a dynasty, and her actions were often guided by how she would be judged by history. The Ptolemies had a history of bloody transitions that disrupted the rule of Egypt, and she attempted to ensure a peaceful succession to her own children. Ptolemiac rulers were also expected to be scholars and the authors of scientific or historical works, and Cleopatra is credited with treatises on medicine, alchemy, poisons, cosmetics, and philosophy. Learn about or revisit your family history, focusing on similarities with your own life. How does your heritage shape you? What can you celebrate about your heritage and how can it help you succeed?

Honor your history – Cleopatra grew up listening to tales of the greatness of Egypt and the successes of the early Ptolemiac rulers. Her goal was to restore Egypt’s power and lands to those at the height of the Ptolemaic empire. Some historians believe her alliances with Caesar, and then Marc Antony, were forged in order to create a single Roman/Egyptian empire, which she could rule jointly with Rome. While you may not have an empire to rebuild, find a small way to honor your ancestors. Some ideas are to visit places important to them, fulfill some family goal, contact long-lost relatives, or re-enact a tradition, ritual, or meaningful event.

Write your own history – Unfortunately for Cleopatra, most of her histories were written by her Roman enemies who portrayed her inaccurately as a vain, vile and greedy seductress. Take this opportunity to outline an obituary for yourself, including events that you hope will happen in the future. What would you like history to say about you? Boil it down to two or three sentences that summarize your desired legacy. How can you achieve this?

Visit a library – Part of the Ptolemaic palace complex was the library of Alexandria, the most important library of the ancient world. Cleopatra studied there throughout her life, and when Caesar accidentally destroyed some of it, diplomats and scholars, including Antonius, gifted her books and other volumes. You have access to the greatest library ever created, the internet. Learn more about the ancient world, especially the eastern civilizations like Egypt, Babylon, and Persia, at the DPLA (digital public library of America) or immerse yourself in the interests of one of your potential allies (see Activities with Others section).

Repurpose a myth – After Caesar was brutally stabbed to death, Cleopatra sanctioned an engraved monument that portrayed her and her son, Caesarian, as the mythological Isis and her son, Horus, after the god Osiris was murdered. Cleopatra used the trappings of Isis to depict herself as a maternal, benevolent, and god-like monarch and to communicate that to her people. Find a mythological tale that appeals to you and repurpose it to communicate a message about yourself.

Create an environment that makes an impression – Cleopatra displayed her great wealth and dynastic heritage in order to impress the Romans, especially when they first met. Artfully arrange your desk and workspace with objects of interest that capture attention and showcase your worldliness and intellect. Display degrees, certifications, and awards on your walls. People walking into your workspace should get an instant impression of your personality and accomplishments.

Expand your network of influence – How many people can you rely on for references or you know would advocate on your behalf? Make a quick list of your answer and include how you know them to determine the strength and diversity of your close network. Ascertain some acquaintances you’d like to add to your list. Approach them with common interests, which you’ve researched, or requests for advice in areas of expertise. Find ways in which you can return the favor and aid each other.

Strengthen your close alliances – As a monarch, it’s important to ensure that your alliances remain loyal. As a normal person, you should never take your closest friends or allies for granted. Check in with them to see how they are doing, steering the discussion to their lives and issues, rather than your own. Offer your help and support and make sure they know they can rely on you.

Create a circle of advocates – As royalty, Cleopatra had a circle of aides and servants who would risk their lives for her, like smuggling her across enemy lines to meet Caesar or sneaking in an asp so she could kill herself. Hopefully, your needs will never be quite as extreme, but you should leverage your current friendships to create a “personal board” of supporters. A personal board is a group of peers who coach and advise each other, provide moral support whenever needed, and, most importantly, promote and advocate for each other outside the group.

Develop your charm – Cleopatra’s charm had its roots in her intelligence. She mastered many languages and learned the customs and beliefs of multiple cultures. Being charming is a combination of being interesting and being interested. While you should prepare some amusing anecdotes about yourself, it is more important to be fascinated by the people you are with and curious about their lives and their interests. Find common ground in order to relate. As you expand your network and strengthen your alliances, become more knowledgeable about your allies’ interests to show they are important to you.

Give the right gifts – Cleopatra used her immense wealth to give impressive gifts that were suited to the beneficiary. You may not have wealth, but based on the interests above, start to share some gifts like music files, twitter accounts, books, articles or video clips that you know would interest your ally. Do this sparingly, focusing on quality over quantity, and add value by providing an amusing and witty commentary.

Plan successors and legacy – Cleopatra had children with Caesar and Marc Antony in order to secure an heir to her throne. She assigned territorial kingdoms for her four children so that succession would be smooth, and the Hellenistic dynasty would continue (although after her death, most of her children were killed.) If you have direct reports at work, meet with them to plan your own succession to ensure your work would continue without you. At home, make sure you have a will or trust in place to care for your beneficiaries should you pass unexpectedly by a snake bite.