There
seems to be a national malaise upon our spirit. We see a climbing
death toll in Iraq. We see a stock market that (we are told) reflects
a loss of confidence. We see our politicians bickering. We wonder
how to get the leadership we desire.
There are manuals and classes and
psychologists and inspirational speakers who try to help the common
people to learn the art of leadership. We hope our leaders can exhort
the masses to take actions against common perils like poverty and
illiteracy. Or the leader may lead by example, hoping some will
follow him or her.
As managers, we are each of us puzzled
to say the least. How do we lead? Should we be the big BOSS (whatever
that means?) and BOSS is after all, backwards ‘Double
SOB? Or should we somehow encourage employees to grow and become
an asset for our schools and our companies? It is an ancient question.
Lao Tzu’s answer in Tao Te Ching was “One who
knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know”. (Verse
128) The Tao Te Ching was written to serve as words of
advice for local administrators in the feudal states of China, 2000
BCE.
When I went to school board meetings,
I tried to keep a little sign in front of me that said…’Keep
your mouth shut’. The sign’s purpose: to remind me of
how much I did not know. It didn’t always work.
We can lead by direction, I suppose.
Or we can lead by committee (Site Based Councils) or we can lead
by consensus. Here is verse 22 from the Tao Te Ching (The
Way and the Power) by Lao Tzu (the ‘Old Master’):
Yield
and overcome;
Bend
and be straight;
Empty
and be full;
Wear
out and be new;
Have
little and gain;
Have
much and be confused.
Therefore
wise men embrace the one
And
set an example to all.
Not
putting on a display,
They
shine forth.
Not
justifying themselves,
They
are distinguished.
Not
boasting,
They
receive recognition.
Not
bragging,
They
never falter.
They
do not quarrel,
So no
one quarrels with them.
Therefore
the ancients say, ‘Yield and overcome.’
And
all things will come to you.
In
these days of confusion following terrorist attacks, each of us
has a duty to support our country and to be the best person one
can be. That was Lao Tzu’s advice to the managers in ancient
China …’be confident in yourself.’
Be good, wave
to a neighbor and cherish your children.
‘Be
Confident In Tomorrow'
is the copyrighted © property of Marty Duncan - Omagadh Media.
2004.
Contact him at Marty.Duncan@omagadh.com
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