The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age [Paperback]

John Heider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 2005

The Tao of Leadership is an invaluable tool for anyone in a position of leadership. This book provides the simplest and clearest advice on how to be the very best kind of leader: be faithful, trust the process, pay attention, and inspire others to become their own leaders. Heider's book is a blend of practical insight and profound wisdom, offering inspiration and advice. This book is used as a Management/Leadership training text by many Fortune 500 corporations, including IBM, Mitsubishi, and Prudential.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is a particularly readable and accessible version of a great but difficult work. -- Publisher's Weekly

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Humanics Publishing Group; 1 edition (March 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893340790
• ISBN-13: 978-0893340797
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts > Tao Te Ching
  • #41 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions > Taoism

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Lead Without It, December 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age (Paperback)

I've used this book for over 10 years as my leadership support tool. As General Manager of a $200MM business, I need perspective and support on a daily basis - and Heider's book provides it. I love that the persective is NOT a management flavor of the week, but a view on leadership that stands the test of time.

I've given this book as a gift to peers, friends, and family for years - just purchased copies last week for my new staff. It provides us with a common framework and a vision of where we're taking our organization.

Thanks, Heider, for great thoughts, great lessons, and great leadership!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent thoughts for reflection., February 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age (Paperback)

Each page gives you a lot to think about and to reflect upon.
Don't bother with this book if you want something to give you
the quick and dirty answer, this ain't it.

But, it will get you to stop and reflect upon yourself and your effect
upon the world and others. It will get you to find your own
answers if you slow down long enough to sense them.
This book is best a few pages at a time. It can get deep if you let it.

The thing that would make this book a 10 is if it were focused a little less
on "leadership". Maybe something like; The Tao of Life.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of wisdom, interesting approach, September 8, 2000

By 

Leon M. Bodevin "Do right and fear no man" (Lemoore, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tao of Leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age (Paperback)

In this book, Heider guides the reader down the long path to enlightened leadership. Leadership is not about manipulation or command and control, says Heider; the leader should at most be a catalyst for what the group should come up with themselves. Interesting stuff. The gold nuggets of wisdom that Heider gives in this book are reason enough to buy it, even if you are not a leader. It goes without saying that Taoism encompasses much more than mere leadership and I finished the book wanting to know more about Taoism. My one criticism of this book is that it is not for everybody. What Heider purports, essentially, is a very specific, idealised form of leadership (in real life, you have to learn to have a forceful presence, not just be wise and harmonious). But if this sounds like your type of book, then buy it, along with Max Depree's Leadership Is An Art.