LIFE – Let It Flow Easy!!
What is Leadership? Who is a Lead-er?
Normally, a Leader is understood as a person who leads or commands a group, organization or country.
But a wise master once told me that every single person is a Leader and is either consciously or unconsciously influencing people around him / her. Leadership is all about impact, influence and inspiration.
What caught my attention was the word in-spiri-ation. The Etymology of the word Inspiration leads to the meaning of divine guidance’. Inspire was also used to mean ” breath or put life spirit into human body; impart reason to a human soul.”
The ancient Master Lao Tzu, in the Tao Te Ching, in Verse, 17, 66 and 68 simply gives the qualities of an effective / enlightened Leader.
Verse 17
“When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.
Next best is leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.
If you don’t trust the people, you make then untrustworthy.
The Master doesn’t talk, he acts.
When his work is done, the people say, “Amazing: we did it, by ourselves!”
This verse is not limited to leader – it holds equally for a parent, teacher. The verse gives away that what an honest leader needs is to develop an the element of trust, faith in believing that the group of people that is being led have the ability to figure the best possible solution, let go or banish the desire of being an authoritarian and suspend self interest and simply be there to serve.
Verse 66
“All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people.
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people, you must learn to follow them.
The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one and no one can compete with her.”
Ever wondered why all rivers and streams flow into the Ocean? Whilst lying low, the Ocean continues to remain the King. The message is clear – humility, patience, acceptance are the keys attributes of a wise Leader. People always gravitate towards the natural flow of existence. People always gravitate towards a humble leader.
Verse 68
“The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of them embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don’t love to compete, but they do in the spirit of the play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.”
This verse is all about collaboration and not competition. Its about promoting excellence in each other.
What is Leadership? Who is a Lead-er?
Normally, a Leader is understood as a person who leads or commands a group, organization or country.
But a wise master once told me that every single person is a Leader and is either consciously or unconsciously influencing people around him / her. Leadership is all about impact, influence and inspiration.
What caught my attention was the word in-spiri-ation. The Etymology of the word Inspiration leads to the meaning of divine guidance’. Inspire was also used to mean ” breath or put life spirit into human body; impart reason to a human soul.”
The ancient Master Lao Tzu, in the Tao Te Ching, in Verse, 17, 66 and 68 simply gives the qualities of an effective / enlightened Leader.
Verse 17
“When the Master governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.
Next best is leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.
If you don’t trust the people, you make then untrustworthy.
The Master doesn’t talk, he acts.
When his work is done, the people say, “Amazing: we did it, by ourselves!”
This verse is not limited to leader – it holds equally for a parent, teacher. The verse gives away that what an honest leader needs is to develop an the element of trust, faith in believing that the group of people that is being led have the ability to figure the best possible solution, let go or banish the desire of being an authoritarian and suspend self interest and simply be there to serve.
Verse 66
“All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.
If you want to govern the people.
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people, you must learn to follow them.
The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one and no one can compete with her.”
Ever wondered why all rivers and streams flow into the Ocean? Whilst lying low, the Ocean continues to remain the King. The message is clear – humility, patience, acceptance are the keys attributes of a wise Leader. People always gravitate towards the natural flow of existence. People always gravitate towards a humble leader.
Verse 68
“The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of them embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don’t love to compete, but they do in the spirit of the play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.”
This verse is all about collaboration and not competition. Its about promoting excellence in each other.