Blog about Leadership

I am always intrigued by the ancient Chinese wisdom. Whether from Sun Tzu, Confucius, Lao Tzu, or another ancient master, the wisdom resonates with experience as well as intelligence.

Here is a leadership quote from Lao Tzu:
“Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them.”

I like this quote for the emphasis on subtlety. “Leadership is an art” is one step in understanding leadership. The second step… Leadership is an art in subtlety. Most people do not respond positively to brash direction, but subtle, articulate direction permits cooperative and positive responses. Impetuous managers attempt to coerce employees to perform tasks. Leaders open doors of opportunity for employees to perform.

For more from Lao Tzu, check out: The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching

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“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, ‘We did this ourselves.’”

“To lead people, walk beside them … As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate … When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’”

“When the effective leader is finished with his work, the people say it happened naturally.”

“Superior leaders get things done with very little motion. They impart instruction not through many words, but through a few deeds. They keep informed about everything but interfere hardly at all. They are catalysts, and though things would not get done as well if they were not there, when they succeed they take no credit. And, because they take no credit, credit never leaves them.”