|
INSPIRED LEADERSHIP
Over the past few weeks I have been reading and studying the Tao Te Ching which is considered by many to be one of the most influential, inspirational, philosophical texts ever written. It was written over 2500 years ago in China by Lao Tzu and by most accounts is second only to the bible as the most read book in the history of the world. Indeed, many great scholars have taken the time to read, meditate and interpret the eighty-one spiritual verses. The seventeenth verse of the Tao Te Ching provides us counsel on how to become an effective leader.
Verse 17 Tao Te Ching
Translated by Stephen Mitchell
When the Master governs, the people
are hardly aware that he exists.
Next best is a 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 them untrustworthy.
The Master doesn't talk, he acts.
When his work is done,
the people say, "Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!"
All of us are leaders in one form or another. We do not need to be a coach or company president to be a leader. In fact, when you read and mediate on this the seventeenth verse of the Tao Te Ching I would encourage you to substitute the words parent, teacher, teammate or friend for the words Master or leader in the passage. Indeed, each of us has influence over others in our daily lives even if we have not been given a title or formal authority to lead. Therefore, Lao Tzu's advice is universally applicable.
Another translation of this verse defines the best leader as, "the leader that governs least." As we influence and lead others, we should always keep in mind that the most effective leaders are those who do not force their will upon others, but instead simply make observations, stimulate insight, clarify questions, encourage decision making and inspire others to utilize their own talents and gifts to solve problems, create and achieve. This advice is applicable to all types of leadership, and parenting as well.
As we look deeper at what Lao Tzu defines as the worst leaders we will realize that they lead by strict rules and punishments. Leading from this perspective is usually based in the need of the leader's ego to exert its authority over those they lead because "they know what is best." Leading in this manner creates feelings of fear and distrust. In this type of leadership the motivation for those that are being lead is fear. Fear of being punished for not following the rules or fulfilling the expectations of the leader. Although fear can be an effective motivator when the leader is present, ultimately when the leader is not around the subjects will act out or misbehave. Leading in this manner creates an environment of competitiveness and conflict with the authority figure which can result in defiance. As you can see this form of leadership is less than effective and this is why it is considered the lowest form of leadership.
The next best form of leading is one based in love. This form of leadership is motivated by creating an environment where the leader can express and receive love and acceptance from those they are leading. In this type of leadership, the motivation for being good or achieving is to please and receive love and praise from the leader. This creates an environment where those that are being led are hesitant to act or make decisions without the approval of their supervisor. This condition is probably the byproduct of being lead in this manner. These leaders are leading out of love and have admirable intentions, but are not fostering independent decision making and creativity within their subjects. This form of leadership cultivates a feeling of cooperation, but not collaboration.
In the highest form of leadership, leaders are hardly noticed. Leaders in this category do not motivate those that they lead out of fear and they do not motivate out of an outpouring of love and positive reinforcement, but instead inspire those they lead to develop a strong sense of self and an independence that provides them the freedom to not act virtuous, but be virtuous. These leaders inspire a sense of collaboration instead of cooperation. They create an environment in which the individuals that are leading are inspired to achieve and create from a healthy sense of well being and the knowledge that they are trusted to make their own decisions. These highly effective leaders offer praise for making decisions rather than behavior that conforms to their ideas. Additionally, inspired leaders do not accept praise, but allow praise to go to the beneficiaries of their leadership as if they are not even there. Leaders that lead out of fear or love deprive themselves from the wisdom and creativity of those that they lead because their subjects conform to the ideas of the leader. However, the best leaders, by creating an environment of collaboration benefit from all of the wisdom and ideas of all of those that they lead.
As you go about your day, make it a point to observe the influence and leadership that you have over others and make a conscious decision to observe the type of leader that you are and mindfully change your perspective to become the inspired leader that you are capable of being. By changing the way you think about things in your life you will change the things in your life.
KAIZEN!!!!
Steven M. Erickson
© Copyright 2010 Steven M. Erickson.
All rights reserved. Ki Inspiring Thoughts.
The Center for Humane Living. |
