"Lao Tsu -
a leader is best
when the people are hardly aware of his (sic) existence,
not so good when people stand in fear,
worst, when people are contemptuous.
Fail to honour people, and they will fail to honour you.
But of a good leader who speaks little,
when his (sic) task is accomplished, his work done!
The people say, "we did it ourselves.""
It is observed that the current perception of Leadership (very much a
western culture) is drastically different from the above. Management
literature, actual organization top management head (understood to be the
leader), the type of attractive benefits, bonus, pay that bestow upon such
person all point to the fact that ........
a leader is best
when the people must be made aware his (sic) existence,
very good when people stand in fear of his (sic) institutionalized authority
better still, when people are contemptuous.
(interpreted as obedient)
Honour people by material reward, and they will "honour" the leader by
demanding for more material reward and pay.
But of a good leader who must exhort,
when his (sic) task is accomplished,
his work done with proclamation to the world, reinforced by the press !
The people is made to say, "the leader did it."
i.e. "we are just mere followers" in their thought,
which the leader announced as "my people is totally
behind me, with full commitment and dedication"
Andrew Wong
Organistion Observer and thinker
Homepage http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5621
--Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>