From Chaos to Calm:
Lao Tzu's Timeless Wisdom Applied to Your Business
Imagine yourself in an extraordinary board meeting. Across the table, clad in a traditional Chinese robe, sits the legendary philosopher Lao Tzu. His tranquil demeanour contrasts sharply with the frenetic pace of the modern business world.
He's here to breathe new life into your small business, not with quick-fix growth hacks, but with the enduring wisdom of Taoist philosophy. This tranquil stream of ancient wisdom is set to navigate your business from the turbulent waters of struggle to the serene shores of success.
Without saying a word he subtly gestures to the eight scrolls placed with beautiful symmetry in the middle of the table. Each scroll is wrapped with leather and the paper is thick enough to last an eternity.
Scroll I - Hire Right:
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists...when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." His words light the path to a hiring strategy that goes beyond skillsets to find those who can harmonize with your company's unique rhythm.
Actionable Steps:
Identify essential skills, experiences, and personality traits for each role.
Write an engaging job description that resonates with your ideal candidate.
Seek potential candidates through various channels, and cast a wide net.
Make culture-fit a cornerstone of your interviews, looking beyond just skills.
Scroll II - Cultivate Trust:
"To lead people, walk behind them." With the tranquil assurance of one who has traversed life's complexities, Lao Tzu encourages to empower others. It tapes into an immense power often ignored and unleashes your team's potential.
Actionable Steps:
Assign responsibilities that align with individual strengths.
Balance clear expectations with room for creativity and autonomous decision-making.
Champion transparency, fortifying the bonds of trust.
Celebrate successes and acknowledge efforts, instilling confidence within your team.
Scroll III - Foster Growth:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Lao Tzu believed in the power of education and self-improvement. This scroll is a stark reminder of the importance of fueling growth through education and creating a learning culture in your business.
Actionable Steps:
Highlight opportunities for individual growth.
Invest in professional development programs, enabling continuous skill enhancement.
Set inspiring performance targets that challenge yet motivate your team.
Promote a culture rich in feedback, where everyone is both a learner and a mentor.
Scroll IV - Communicate Effectively:
"He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know." This wisdom emphasizes the importance of listening and thoughtful communication. It's a subtle reminder that the essence of communication lies not in a torrent of words but in listening deeply and understanding.
Actionable Steps:
Create an open, honest communication culture.
Prioritize active and empathetic listening.
Ensure every team member feels heard, valued, and understood.
Train your team in clear, concise communication, enhancing understanding and respect.
Scroll V - Lead by Example:
"To be a great leader, you must become a master of self." Lao Tzu emphasizes personal mastery. He suggests leaders must demonstrate the behaviour they wish to see in their teams. To use the silent language of leadership where actions resonate more than mere words. This wisdom reveals that to inspire your team, your actions and attitudes must reflect the behaviours you seek.
Actionable Steps:
Embody the behaviours and attitudes you wish to inspire.
Show authenticity and integrity in all actions, enhancing your credibility as a leader.
Welcome feedback and aim for self-improvement.
Let your actions inspire your team, rather than relying on mere words.
Scroll VI - Encourage Innovation:
"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings." It's a poignant reminder that challenges, though difficult, often open the doors to innovation and change. He suggests that challenges can be the fertile soil where seeds of innovation grow.
Actionable Steps:
Cultivate a safe space for sharing and exploring new ideas.
Foster constructive criticism, sharpening the edge of innovation.
Stay open to fresh ideas, regardless of their origin.
Reward creativity and initiative, promoting an innovative mindset.
Scroll VII - Practice Patience:
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." This wisdom nudges us to embrace patience as a vital trait in business, allowing time for strategies to bear fruit and for people to develop their skills. He suggests that patience isn't a hindrance but an invaluable ally in the chaotic world of business.
Actionable Steps:
Set achievable timelines, valuing quality over speed.
Exercise patience in decision-making, allowing time for thoughtful research and reflection.
Show understanding and patience in the face of setbacks.
Celebrate progress as much as the outcomes, cherishing the journey as well as the destination.
Scroll VIII - The Final Act:
To your surprise and Lao Tzu’s amusement, the scroll is blank and it’s up to you where it goes from here.
Our extraordinary board meeting with Lao Tzu concludes. In his gentle yet compelling manner, Lao Tzu revealed the way to build an extraordinary team, steering a struggling business towards massive success. His philosophy, encapsulated in these eight scrolls, isn't merely about running a business; it's about creating a harmonious symphony of growth, trust, communication, leadership, innovation, and patience.
By imbibing these values and weaving them into the fabric of your organization, your path ahead is no longer chaotic, but calm. And the most powerful state of mind a leader can achieve is a calm state of mind. From there, anything is possible.