Lao-Tzu Leadership Style
Fernanda Virgen
22 January 2014
“If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts and the world will govern itself.” These words were spoken by Lao-Tzu, a philosopher credited for writing the “Tao-te Ching” and the presumed founder of Taoism. In the Tao-te Ching, Lao-Tzu describes the qualities a political leader should acquire in order to become great leaders. Although some people imagine a great leader as being die-hard and commanding, Lao-Tzu believes that a great leader is actually one who doesn’t use force unless it is absolutely necessary. Therefore, if you want to excel as a leader one must follow the words of the Tao. In the Tao, Lao-Tzu states, “when …show more content…
For instance, Lao-Tzu states, “I let go of the law, and people become honest. I let go of economics and people become prosperous” (211). If leaders of America would focus less on forcing laws and economics that create monopolies then their followers would prosper together as a whole. The closest example to Lao-Tzu’s philosophy is socialist Sweden where the majority of Swedish people have universal health care and free educations. Their government leaders focus more on a better standard of living and don’t force economic pressure, therefore they are able to climb and excel in things such as mathematics and science beating out countries such as the United States. In conclusion, Lao-Tzu philosophical document is a great illustration of the qualities a great political leader should obtain. Following the words of the Tao can not only benefit one as a leader but a country as a whole. Some may say that force is necessary when it comes to leading a country, however as Lao-Tzu says, “for every force there is a counterforce” (208). With that being said, using force would result into an ongoing cycle of conflict. After all, a great leader is not one who is fear, but one who is
22 January 2014
“If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts and the world will govern itself.” These words were spoken by Lao-Tzu, a philosopher credited for writing the “Tao-te Ching” and the presumed founder of Taoism. In the Tao-te Ching, Lao-Tzu describes the qualities a political leader should acquire in order to become great leaders. Although some people imagine a great leader as being die-hard and commanding, Lao-Tzu believes that a great leader is actually one who doesn’t use force unless it is absolutely necessary. Therefore, if you want to excel as a leader one must follow the words of the Tao. In the Tao, Lao-Tzu states, “when …show more content…
For instance, Lao-Tzu states, “I let go of the law, and people become honest. I let go of economics and people become prosperous” (211). If leaders of America would focus less on forcing laws and economics that create monopolies then their followers would prosper together as a whole. The closest example to Lao-Tzu’s philosophy is socialist Sweden where the majority of Swedish people have universal health care and free educations. Their government leaders focus more on a better standard of living and don’t force economic pressure, therefore they are able to climb and excel in things such as mathematics and science beating out countries such as the United States. In conclusion, Lao-Tzu philosophical document is a great illustration of the qualities a great political leader should obtain. Following the words of the Tao can not only benefit one as a leader but a country as a whole. Some may say that force is necessary when it comes to leading a country, however as Lao-Tzu says, “for every force there is a counterforce” (208). With that being said, using force would result into an ongoing cycle of conflict. After all, a great leader is not one who is fear, but one who is