The Tao of Personal Leadership

 

 

 

 

The Tao of Personal Leadership

 

道

 

tao or do

literally, "the way," "the path," or "the principle"

 

This character is made up of the symbol for "leader,"

based upon the ancient Chines ideogram for the human head,

together with the symbol for "to walk."

The root meaning of this famous character is

clearly mindfulness in action,

and enduring ideal for today's leaders.

 

 

 

Introduction

 

始

haji

literally, "to begin"

The term is comprised of two characters:

a young woman and the power of speech.

 

 

With the best of leaders,

When the work is done,

The project completed,

The people all say

"We did it ourselves."

 

(Tao, 17)

 

 

 

The Yin of Inner Leadership

 

陰

yin

literally, "the female principle"

 

 

1. Zanshin

 

殘 心 

zanshin

literally, "the spirit stays or lingers"

The term means connection,

the ability to extend our energies outward to create new harmonies.

 

 

The Tao is an empty vessel,

Infinitely useful,

The source of then thousand things.

 

It blunts all sharpness,

Unties all knots,

Softens the light,

And blends with the earth.

 

Deeper than the oceans,

Its scope is infinite,

Its power eternal.

 

(Tao, 4)

 

 

 

2. Centering, Presence, and Process

 

結 び

musubi

literally, "to bind" or "to connect";

"the connection that binds us together"

the energy flow that binds us—and all of life—together

 

 

Analyzing others is knowledge.

Knowing yourself is wisdom.

Managing others requires skill.

Mastering yourself takes inner strength.

 

Knowing when enough is enough

Is wealth of spirit.

Be present, observe the process,

Stay centered, and prevail.

 

(Tao, 33)

 

 

 

3. Timing

 

出 會

 de-ai

literally, "to flow together";

timing, interval,

the way life's energies flow in cycles or patterns

 

 

Tao leaders live close to nature.

Their actions flow from the heart.

In words, they are true;

In decisions, just;

In business, effective;

In action, aware of the timing.

 

(Tao, 8)

 

 

 

4. Respect

 

恭

kyo

literally, "respectful" or "reverent"

Respect for all living things

underlies all the Tao leader's decisions and actions.

 

 

Those who would govern wisely

Must first respect life.

 

(Tao, 75)

 

 

 

5. Yohaku

 

余 白

yohaku

the empty space

literally, "clearer than a ray of sun";

the empty space, the space of creative potential.

 

 

Thirty spokes meet at the wheel's axis;

The center space makes the wheel useful.

From clay into a cup;

The center space gives it purpose.

 Frame doors and windows for a house;

The openings make the house useful.

Therfore, purpose comes from what is there

Because of what is not there.

 

(Tao, 11)

 

 

 

6. Joy

 

喜 

yoroko

literally, "joy," "to rejoice," "to be glad" 

 The rippling energies of laughter

and the clarifying energies of joy

cleanse and renew our spirits.

 

 

Treasure this knowledge:

The Tao leader

Wears common clothing

And precious jade

Close to the heart.

 

(Tao, 70)

 

 

 

 

The Yang of Leadership in Action

 

陽

yang

literally, "the masculine principle"

 

 

7. Building Community

 

協

 kyo

literally, "to be in harmony"

 The character is made up of the number ten,

combined with the character for strength repeated three times.

The Tao leader knows that community multiplies our positive power.

 

 

The Tao leader creates harmony,

Reaching

From the heart

To build community.

 

(Tao, 49)

 

 

 

8. Vision, Empowerment, and Growth

 

悟

sato

literally, "to be spiritually awakened," "to perceive," "to comprehend"

 The verb is the root of the Buddhist term, satori (enlightenment).

A Tao leader who combines vision, empowerment, and growth practices sato.

 

 

Can you lead your people

Without seeking to control?

 

Can you open and close the gates

In harmony with nature?

 

Can you be understanding

Without trying to be wise?

 

Can you create without possessiveness

Accomplish without taking credit,

 

Lead without ego?

This is the highest power.

 

(Tao, 10)

 

 

 

9. Communication

 

傳 達

 den and tatsu

den, literally, "to report," "to impart," and "to transmit";

with tatsu, literally, "to arrive," "to reach," and "to attain," respectively.

To communicate clearly is to arrive at a deeper understanding.

 

 

 

The highest people teach the lowest

And learn from them as well.

 

Those without appreciation

For the teacher or the lesson

Have strayed from the path.

They may be highly educated,

But lack the deepest wisdom.

 

(Tao, 27)

 

 

 

10. Conflict Resolution

 

合 氣 道

aikido

literally, "the way of harmony,"

 combining ai ("harmony" or "love") with ki ("spirit") and do ("the way"):

resolving conflict without harming the opponent,

transforming opposing energies into new patterns of harmony.

 

 

Those who responsibly meet

Life's conflicts

Can truly lead the world.

 

(Tao, 78)

 

 

 

11. Transcending Ego

 

誠 

makoto

literally, "sincerity," "truth," "integrity"

 The Tao leader transcends ego and self-centeredness.

Coming from a deeper center of integrity

enables us to inspire trust and promote harmony.

 

 

The Tao leader acts without attachement,

Achieves, but does not take credit,

transcending ego

With greater harmony.

 

(Tao, 77)

 

 

 

12. Creating Harmony

 

和

wa

literally, "harmony," "peace"

 Tao leaders create greater harmony around them

because they follow the path of greater harmony within.

 

 

My words are easy to know,

Easy to practice.

Yet few under heaven

Know or practice them.

 

My words reveal

Eternal principles,

Enduring patterns.

Pathways to harmony.

 

(Tao, 70)

 

 

 

 

 

 Notes and Resources 

 

玉

tama

literally, "jade,"

the stone that represents infinite beauty

and the precious quality of life itself,

one of the most precious elements in Asian culture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

加 添 仔

will be posted Part I & II...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dreher, Diane. The Tao of Personal Leadership. Harper Collins Publishers. New York. 1997.