The Tao at Work: On Leading and Following [Paperback]

Stanley M. Herman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787956708 | ISBN-13: 978-0787956707 | Publication Date: March 28, 2001

In today's 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 ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu's classic, the Tao te Ching, offers the practical wisdom to lighten your burden and freshen your spirits as you travel on your journey. Now available in paperback, The Tao at Work adapts each of the eighty-one timeless passages from the Tao te Ching to life in the modern world, using humorous contemporary parables to illuminate their applications. Anyone in transition or struggling to find the balance between work and life will discover the powerful uses of the Tao te Ching, and come to a place where walls turn into doors, and serenity and confidence reign.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Over 2500 years old, Lao-tzu's Tao te Ching is a classic manual on living and wisdom and, after the Bible, the most widely translated book in the world. Herman's fresh approach to translating the Tao is to adapt this enigmatic philosophy to the contemporary workplace, with his own unique interpretation of these 81 verses. His intriguing parables in organizational settings attempt to illuminate the teachings of the Tao and are as puzzling as Lao-tzu's original powerful philosophy. Stephen Mitchell's interpretation of the Tao (Harper & Row, 1988) is one of the better literal translations of these verses and should accompany Herman's workplace applications. Herman's approach may appeal to today's New Age thinking about organizations; recommended accordingly to philosophy and business collections.
Dale Farris, Groves, Tex.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Herman's succinct book brings the Eastern philosophy of the Tao right into the Western workplace. The effect is intriguing and makes the reader think hard about the meaning of life. Alternating contemporary translations of the verses of Lao-tzu (purists may be appalled) with stories of life in the modern working world, Herman has successfully captured the give-and-take of Eastern meditation techniques. Readers can absorb as much or as little as they need. They can dwell on one saying or story as they sense its application to their lives. They can argue with other stories in their struggle to move beyond the day-to-day fight. This book will be useful for those who are caught up in their work whether in the office or in the home. Mary Deeley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (March 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787956708
• ISBN-13: 978-0787956707
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,282,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A profound guide to total leadership in all aspects of life, November 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tao at Work: On Leading and Following (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tao for US business & government, August 5, 2008

By 

Walter W. Ko "Walter Ko" (St Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Tao at Work: On Leading and Following (Paperback)

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.