Leadership from the standpoint of Taoist teachings is
paradoxical or even oxymoronic in nature. A leader intending to apply the
teachings should therefore be willing to tolerate the co-existence as apparent
opposites, or at the very least be willing to lead in ways not typically
thought to be consistent with leadership. If this seems too taxing, one might
consider the potential benefits. For one thing, leading in unanticipated and
unusual ways may give one a sustainable competitive advantage both in terms of
alternative leaders below and competitors leading other organizations. Put
another way, going down the rarely trodden path opens one up to being able to
use something of value unknown to other people. One could “corner the market”
on that asset.
Material from this essay has been incorporated into The Essence of Leadership: A Cross-Cultural Foundation, which is available in at Amazon.
Material from this essay has been incorporated into The Essence of Leadership: A Cross-Cultural Foundation, which is available in at Amazon.
