Be a Master Leader according to the Tao.
The Tao Te Ching
The Master leads from behind.
When her work is done, the people say:
“We did it!
All by ourselves.”
Lao-tzu
The Tao Te Ching is a movingly profound, relatively short philosophical text, written by Lao-tzu, now sometimes called Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher, around 600 BC. Lao Tzu literally means Old Man and is an honorific title. The story is that Lao-tzu departed his warring country; crossing the border an officer stopped him to ask for his teachings. Thus the Tao Te Ching was written. The concepts of The Tao, literally meaning The Way, later gave rise to Taoism.
The Work of
Byron Katie
Unravel the threads of attachment and identity with Katie’s process ‘The Work’.
I absolutely adore Inquiry. Words are just not strong enough to describe how I feel about this practice – the 4 questions and turnarounds.
The Tao Te Ching is also a book on leadership.
Its principles describe a way of life that is genuinely connected – to nature, to self, to other people, and to an organizing power that underlies all things.
At the basis of this connection are human qualities that I find deeply alluring – trust, gentleness, generosity of spirit, humility, a seekers mindset that is based on willingness to learn. Mastery of living The Way promises unlimited power that is naturally lived in service; it is its own fulfillment and doesn’t need a crown and purple mantel to proclaim its own importance.
The Way of the Leader
described in The Tao is one who empowers, supports, evolves, and cherishes those who are lead – with as little top-down communication as possible.
Why cherishing?
Because if you cherish someone – it is your own reward.
I am not a Taoist. My path incorporates many ways, and The Way is one of them – at the same time, understanding the principle, it is also The One.
In the end, all teachings lure us with the same promise – a long, exemplary, and happy life.
All ways also embody the same paradox – if you want to achieve true mastery you will have to let go of seeking it. Seeking it, you are still believing yourself less than perfect, and somehow disconnected.
I am on that path, the path to being a master at being human. Why ask for anything less?
And in the meantime, while I am still seeking, I have accumulated a lot of awesome tools for being a pretty ( Taoist) good leader.
I am someone who likes to uplift my team, who has joy in their laughter, and who loves the thrill of seamless teamwork in a crisis. My satisfaction comes with people staying in their job and feeling well taken care of.
To be able to be that (master in-service) leader, I had to first learn how to take care of myself.
The Leaders Work is about taking care of yourself, supporting your team, and transforming your workplace culture in the process.
Does this sound tempting?
In The Leaders Work, you will find a way of being at ease in your work, of flowing like water.
You will experience living responsibility yet looking after your own needs.
Become someone who has an intensely dynamic resilience – imagine a young sapling bowing down to the ground and snapping back to standing tall – quiet, strong, and healing the little rips in the bark.
Be a Master Leader according to the Tao – Experience the joyful power of enlightened leadership.
My favorite translation of The Tao Te Ching is by Stephen Mitchell.
