Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age

The value and impact of leadership can be measured in many different ways. Two of the most common approaches focus on who a leader is, and, on what a leader achieves. In my opinion, books that focus on authentic, values-driven leadership are part of a tradition that can be traced back to Lao Tzu and his classic, Tao Te Ching, whereas books that focus on high-impact, results-driven leadership are part of a tradition that can be traced back to Sun Tzu and his classic, The Art of War.As John Heider explains in the Introduction to this volume, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching "is one of China's best loved books of wisdom. It was originally addressed to the sage and to the wise political rulers of the fifth century B.C." Lao Tzu's book is "simple and makes sense. But even more important, is the fact that Tau Te Ching persuasively unites leadership skills and the leader's way of life: our work is our path." Here is my personal favorite among many passages in a work that offers timeless wisdom for each new age: "Learn from the peoplePlan with the peopleBegin with what they haveBuild on what they knowOf the best leadersWhen the task is accomplishedThe people will remarkWe have done it ourselves."The wisdom of these observations is relevant to our own age, especially given the unique challenges leaders now face. For example, how to increase and nourish positive and productive employee engagement at all levels and in all areas? How to develop and then sustain a culture of mutual respect and trust between and among everyone involved?Heider suggests that Lao Tzu focuses on three separate but interdependent topics:1. Natural law (how things happen)2. A way of living (how to live in "conscious harmony" with natural law)3. A method of leadership (how to govern or educate others in accordance with natural law)Heider's adaptation of the Tao is based on his experiences in the classroom when he and his students discuss various passages and various translations of those passages. As he acknowledges, what he offers is his own version of the meaning of Lao Tzu's own words. Here's my take: For aspiring leaders, the first issue to address is "Who and what am I?" Next, "Who and what must an effective leader be?" Then, "What specifically must I understand -- and accept as well as relinquish -- to become such a leader?" Finally, "How can I help other aspiring leaders to complete that process of development?"Here are a few of the dozens of passages in Heider's version that caught my eye:o On Tao Means How: "Tao is a principle. Creation, on the other hand, is a process. That is all there is: principle and process., how and what. All creation unfolds according to Tao. There is no other way."o On Success: "A good reputation naturally arises from doing good work. But if you try to cherish your reputation, if you try to preserve it, you lose the freedom and honesty necessary for further development."o On Traditional Wisdom: "Most people are plagued by endless needs, but the wise leader is content with relatively little. Most people lead busy lives, but the wise leader is quiet and reflective. Most people seek stimulation and novelty, but the wise leader prefers what is common and natural."Being content permits simplicity in life. What is common is universal. What is natural is close to the source of creation."This is traditional wisdom."o On Unity: "Tao cannot be defined. One can only say that it is the single principle responsible for every event or thing. When the leader has regard for this principle, and for no lesser principles, the group memvers must trust the leader. Because the leader pays equal attention to everything that happens, there are no prejudices to divide the group into factions. There is unity."o On Three Leadership Qualities: [133]: "These three qualities are invaluable to the leader: Compassion for all creatures, material simplicity or frugality, and a sense of equality or modesty. A compassionate person acts in behalf of everyone's right to life. Material simplicity gives one an abundance to share. A sense of equality is, paradoxically, one's true greatness."Whatever the nature and extent of Heider's revisions of the primary text(s) may be, the narrative is nimble and cohesive. The clarity of his prose gives eloquence to Lao Tzu's insights. I am certain that many people who read The Tao of Leadership with an open mind (and heart) will become a more effective leader and, meanwhile, a more fulfilled human being.* * *Note: John Heider recommends five translations and renditions of Tao Te Ching in his Bibliography. All use the same system of numbering chapters that he uses, facilitating comparisons and contrasts between and among different versions. I presume to add another, the Capstone edition for which Tom Butler-Bowdon wrote the Introduction.

Heider's work on facilitation is amazing. His interpretation of the Tao Te Ching into a beautiful new translation brings both beauty and accessibility to this ancient text written by the sage Lao Tzu around the 6th century B.C.E. Like others, this book and Heider's work have completely changed the way that I think about leadership.I started learning about Heider's work when I began attending a group facilitated by a loving and wonderful leader who had personally worked with Heider. I loved seeing how our facilitator could keep the group moving while respecting each person. As the weeks progressed, I could see that our facilitator was practicing a type of midwifery where the leader acts as a witness and a guide to the group. The individuals within the group, as well as the group dynamic, are always respected and allowed to flourish. Yet like the master gardener, the group process is skillfully shaped and guided to where the group is able to harmonize and function at a level far greater than what could ever have been possible through simple collaboration. Each person, just like each plant or element in a garden, is respected and valued for what they bring to the group. I feel like I have only begun to scratch the surface of facilitation and group dynamics with reading this text, and I am excited to learn more.Most of all, I feel like a big breakthrough for me is learning through Heider's work that loving-kindness and respect in a leader shows vastly more skill, self-discipline, and strength than other types of management tactics.

First, if you're looking for a straight translation of the Tao te Ching, this isn't it. If, however, you want a book that roughly translates one of the world's great texts into modern leadership language, this book is great.Broken into simple chapters to match the Ching, it easily conveys very profound ideas for group facilitation and leadership. Like the Tao te Ching, it's emphasis is on the yin or gentler aspects of leadership. It's good to balance this with a more yang book (Good to Great, Leadership is An art, etc.) to get a rounded perspective on leadership.However, since most leadership in Western culture is very yang oriented, this will provide a good balance and deep insights that will assist most of us in becoming better leaders.

zen-like guide for those who sit in a circle talking about personal growth. It takes insight to comprehend the lessons taught. IT is NOT a step by step guide, it is something to read then ponder. ask yourself who are the leaders in your life that you like the most and why? what techniques does that leader use to make people feel comfortable in talking about themselves in front of others? use for personal growth, not a list to follow.After reading, I use this book as a resource and reference guide.

Valuable insights about leadership. Focuses on how your behavior can make you a more effective leader and help those you lead be better, too. Each chapter or observation is brief but often articulates some insight one kind of had but never quite articulated. When hearing complaints or objections, for example, pushing back is generally the wrong thing to do, certainly at first; better to absorb the complaint or objection, the energy of the complainer and then try to illuminate the situation. Or, seeing that the role of the leader is to illuminate what needs to be worked on, to help others see it clearly so that the group's energy can be best used to solve the issue or pursue the goal. I have not read this book in perhaps 20 years, but it sticks with me. I found it the most useful book on leadership I ever encountered.

OK. Sounds mystical. May be I need more experience to understand. I am 40.

Counter-intuitive wisdom. This translation reader friendly.

Gives insights on how the Tao can be applied at work. Makes total sense and very few are talking about it. Good read

This book helped shape my spirituality as a teenager, and it has been wonderful to revisit it. Truly wise.

It is a simple reading with a great message. This was A good purchase. Yes, I would buy it again.

While not suggesting that simply reading a book gives more than a superficial insight into the perspective of an Eastern Philosophy - this book certainly raised my awareness in this regard.

Worth reading......!!