The Tao at Work: On Leading and Following

by Stanley M. Herman

Book Overview

In today2s world, where many of us feel strapped with responsibility yet pressured and uncertain, the search for clear direction and personal courage can be a difficult one. This new interpretation of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787956708
• ISBN13: 9780787956707
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Tao for US business & government

Herman writes this wonderful book with his insight, enlightenment and interpretation on the 81 verses of the ancient Chinese classic - Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tsu. Adopting the philosophical spirit of Tao, he offers this book for the modern day of American business, also applicable to US Government and bureaucracy. He rightly points out (p.53) "When power is prized too much, it stiffens into chains of command and symbols of authority. This breeds bureaucracy and rigidity, and so perish creativity and adaptation. Bureaucracy and rigidity have caused the downfall of organizations from ancient empires to modern mega corporations (superpowers) " Another worthy advice for the hawks in U S Capitol comes from page 113 " The military strategy of Tao says, avoid preemptive strikes. Taking no precipitous action, one demonstrates the action of peace. Speaking without threat, one disarms the opposition. Earnestly asserting, without enmity, one disallows an enemy's existence". This Tao at Work is a Tao of East and West, ancient and modern, leading and following, ado and do, natural and artificial, and life and death. It is a practical reference guide for business, management and government in the meaning of life, freedom, virtue and happiness.

A profound guide to total leadership in all aspects of life

Intrigued by the title, I picked up this book and could not put it down until I finish reading the last sentence. This book provides the most valuable philosophical advice you will ever receive about the balance between the assertive energy and the passive energy that rule all aspects of our life. Since we spend most of our wake-up hours at work, the principles outlined in the book become exceptionally beneficial to anyone who is seeking for "spirituality" and "balance" at work. Learn and Apply, (yes Apply), those principles and you will notice the improvement of the quality of your life. The improvement will not be first in the sense of how much more money you will earn, rather how much happier and how much more capable you are becoming. When you reach that point, before you know, you are on the track for significant career advancement and higher earning power. When you bring this newly developed total self-leadership to your life outside of work, you will notice that no matter how many activities you engage yourself in, you will always have the peace, the center and the wisdom with you. This book should be made a required reading for all companies, from top executives to the very junior staff. It can also be a great gift to someone you really love and care about his/her own personal fulfillment.