Walking the Virtuous Path to Become a Better Business Leader
Understanding Tao and walking the Virtuous Path illuminated by Lao-tzu in the Tao Te Ching, is the hallmark of the new modern business leader/manager model. Lao-Tzu's Te: a contemporary interpretation for becoming today's better business leader* is the first place to start to change the way business is done.
Our Western mentality makes us a dog-eat-dog, every-man-out-for-himself society and it has brought us to the brink of destruction. Lao-tzu makes it clear that there is a better way; a way in which we can all live in peace, harmony, and understanding of each other, a way in which conflicts do not arise, wars are obsolete, and our faithful leaders do not interfere.
The way is the Virtuous Path. The way is to be in tune with our natural surroundings. The way is Tao.
Tao is the unseen force behind the creation of heaven and earth. It is the power that binds the universe. It is the breath of life in all living things. It is the source of everything. To walk with Tao on the Virtuous Path is to lead a life that is as subtle as it is sublime.
This is Tao.
Lao-tzu says in verse fourteen:
Tao gives life to all living things,
And nourishes each with its overflowing power.
And each, in turn, pays tribute to the power.
Tao gives life without expecting anything in return.
So it is that Tao births them, nurses them, and completes them,
Makes them mature, protects and shelters and loves them.
Tao does all of this and more,
And still does not control you.
This is the secret virtue of Tao**
A young man setting out on his life's journey can walk with Tao, many do, and many don't. It is more likely that he is headstrong, short sighted, and self centered and treats the world like it owes him a living. He has not learned to be of services to others.
This is not Tao
A man in his prime has long been walking his life's journey. He has survived the school of hard-knocks and expects to claim his reward for his dedicated diligence. He has accumulated wealth, prestige, fame and notoriety and will die trying to protect it.
This is not Tao.
A veteran leader has begun the process of closing his life's journey. He has survived everything, but now he is looking to secure the future. He wants that which he has built to last.
This is not Tao.
Nothing lasts forever, except Tao.
Lao-tzu says this in verse seventeen:
What is planted in Tao cannot be uprooted.
What is tied to Tao cannot be loosed.
It is to be honored from generation to generation.
When you nurture Tao within yourself, Virtue will be real.
When you nurture Tao within your house, Virtue will be abundant.
When you nurture Tao within your village, Virtue will last
When you nurture Tao within your country, Virtue will abound.
When you nurture Tao within your world, Virtue will be universal.
In this way, Tao will be known by all.
How do I know this is true? I know, because I know.
The way of the Virtuous Path may seem wrong, weak, plain, simple, and unwise, but that's how it should seem, if it didn't it wouldn't be Tao. This is how we should be. This is the way of Tao. Our standard for the business leader-manager as a change agent is as close as we can come to Tao, but this too misses the mark by a wide margin because it is too deeply influenced by Yang energies. Yes, there is service to others, coaching, mentoring, training, but this has the hidden agenda of being "in control" of others. Yes, there is empowered delegation and motivating others, but you are still striving to "work". Yes, there is training your replacement, but this attempting to artificially prolong your life.
This is not Tao.
Lao-tzu says it best in verse forty-one:
Nothing is softer,
More yielding than water.
But is has no equal
In wearing down hard things.
If everyone knows that soft overcomes hard,
That yielding overcomes force,
Then why don't they do it?
Only the one who bears the weight of the world
Is fit for sacrifice.
Only the one who bears the sins of others
Is fit to be king.
True words seem a paradox to be.
Our current business leader/manager model is failing. We have arrived at the point where we keep doing things the same old way expecting new and different results. We know we need to change to get different results but our entire training and educational system is based on Yang energies. We are taught to be tough, unyielding, power-driven leaders. Our entire society is based on looking out for number one, if you don't take care of yourself, no one else will. We are taught to do our best, put our best foot forward, don't take "no" for an answer, that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, to take what you want, and that you're never too rich, or too thin.
This is not Tao.
Lao-tzu teaches us there is a better way; a natural way. A way that puts aside wars and conflicts; it puts aside self-interests and artificiality; it puts aside aggression and violence; it puts aside the Yang energies that have brought us to the point of destruction and embraces the yielding touch of the Yin energies. Many of us will stay the course and thumb our noses at the call for change. Especially a change that seems counter-intuitive to the way things are really done.
But, this is Tao, and Lao-tzu says in verse thirty-five:
When people lack the good sense
To fear what they ought to fear,
The universe will give them something to fear
And disaster will descend upon them.
Pay attention to your everyday life,
Do not forget on what your life depends.
Avoid indulgences and the weariness of life will not bog you down.
The wise man knows that he knows himself, so he doesn't have to show off.
The wise man knows that he loves himself, so he doesn't have to be applauded.
The wise man knows it is better to know this than that.
Lao-tzu asks us if we can lead other people while not being in control, if you can just let it happen while it's happening, or if you can remain simple and true to your own nature while you forget what you know? This is the simplest solution to a revolutionary culture change that builds up everybody. Lao-tzu also tells us to help others; help them to live and not hold on to things. Help them without expecting a reward. Help them without controling them. This way is called the Way of Hidden Virtue.
In verse twenty, Lao-tzu explains:
A country can be ruled with rules,
A war can be won with strategy and war-craft,
But everything can be had by doing nothing;
By being free of action and purpose.
How do I know? I know because I know.
The more rules to follow the poorer the people.
The more weapons they have the more unruly they are.
The crazier their thoughts, the weirder the stuff that happens.
The more laws that are passed, the more thugs and thieves arise.
A wise leader does nothing
And the people transform themselves.
A wise leader says nothing
And the people straighten themselves.
A wise leader controls nothing
And the people prosper by themselves.
A wise leader wants for nothing
And the people become simple themselves
This is the goal for the new business leader; it is the action plan to follow. We learn here that by giving power to the people they improve themselves naturally. People do not have to be forced to do what is right. They do what is wrong when the leader/manager leads with a heavy weight and crushing blows. Oppressed people are difficult to manage. People are oppressed by ineffective leaders. The more ineffective the leader, the more oppressed the people.
Let freedom reign.
The cycle has to be broken. The power has to be given to the people so that we the people can grow and prosper and transform ourselves. The more oppressive our leadership is the the less the people fear. When we no longer fear death, what else do we have to lose? When we value something, other things are worthless. When we value ourselves, others are worthless.
In order to take this first step in a journey of a lifetime, we have to lower ourselves in order to raise up others. We have to do nothing in order for others to do something. We have to let go so others can hold on. We have to be the change and by following Lao-Tzu's Te: a contemporary interpretation for becoming today's better business leader we can forever change the way business is done.
* Lao-Tzu's Te: a contemporary interpretation for becoming today's better business leader is a excerpt from Tao Te Ching: The Old Man's Guide to the Virtuous Path © 2010 by Jeff Young
About the Author
Mr. Young is a nationally certified activity director working at his local nursing home. He is currently working towards improving his state's education requirements for becoming a certified activity director. He has completed his master's level advanced coursework for his ACC certification.
He is an ordained minister and holds a MetD degree in metaphysics.
He consults with other nursing homes about how to meet spiritual needs and improve their activity programing.
Cycling Laos & Thailand 2011
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