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Review
Before reading The Tao of Leadership, it would be helpful to offer an explanation of the term Tao. Originating in China in the fifth century, B.C., Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching became one of the most respected literary works of wisdom. Most readers may be surprised that they are already familiar with some of sayings contained in the manuscripts. For example, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, or an interpretation of it, is recognizable today.

John Heider has served as a group leader and trainer for group leaders in the field of psychiatry, including the Veterans Administration and Human Potential School in California. His simplistic method of training uses the Tao approach by uniting leadership with the leader’s way of life. Appropriately, the words Tao Te Ching mean the Book (Ching) of How (Tao) Things Happen or Work (Te). Heider’s adaptation of Lao Tzu’s work has resulted in a guide that can be used for both professional and personal fulfillment. Heider encourages the reader to read the book out loud to grasp the beauty and relevance of the words contained therein.

Although each of the 81 chapters is labeled accordingly for the intended theme (ex.: Unbiased Leadership, Success), there are three underlying key points that the reader is asked to seek out:

1. Natural law, or how things happen;

2. A way of life, or how to live in conscious harmony with natural law; and

3. A method of leadership, or how to govern or educate others in accordance with natural law.

Knowing these three key points, the reader can not only be informed of growth areas in their personal and professional lives, but they can also gain an understanding of how to apply a natural flow between these two areas and external components in which to lead.

Summary of Main Points

* Not all methods in understanding leadership must be complex. Good leadership begins with common sense and by having an understanding of oneself.

* In order to lead effectively, this understanding of oneself must encompass all aspects of life.

* In order to lead effectively, a holistic understanding of how all things relate and interact is needed.

Call To Action
After reading this book, the following three points are a must do to lead effectively:

* Though The Tao of Leadership may appear passive with a somewhat laid back approach to leadership, in essence it requires the individual to be bold and identify shortcomings, as well as strengths. Challenge yourself to perform a realistic analysis of yourself.

* As with any new knowledge, adaptation of this information is not always easy. Changes mean an interruption in the present way of doing business which is usually met with resistance. Challenge others to accept a new approach in leadership by offering a more simplistic, positive method.

* All organizations, people, and life itself have a natural flow. The “flow” is not intended to have solely spiritual connotations, but merely points to the psychological and perhaps sociological nature of how things interact. Challenge yourself to gain an understanding this flow and what disrupts it so that all aspects of your life can be in aligned for optimal performance.