05: Equal Treatment

One person is as worthy as the next and silence is a great source of strength. 

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

Heaven and earth are ruthless;

They see the ten thousand things as dummies.

The wise are ruthless;

They see the people as dummies.

The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.

The shape changes but not the form;

The more it moves, the more it yields.

More words count less.

Hold fast to the centre.

04: The Way Is Not a Thing

The Way is not a thing; it is a single unifying principle or law. The wise project manager does not  search for the way, he runs his project in harmony with it.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.

Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!

Blunt the sharpness,

Untangle the knot,

Soften the glare,

Merge with dust.

Oh, hidden deep but ever present!

I do not know from whence it comes.

It is the forefather of the emperors.

03: Being Oneself

The wise project manager is  concerned that what the team does is effective and this is simple wisdom.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

Not exalting the gifted prevents quarrelling.

Not collecting treasure prevents stealing.

Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart.

The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,

by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.

If people lack knowledge and desire,

then intellectuals will not try to interfere.

If nothing is done then all will be well.

02: Opposites

The wise project manager allows things to happen and unfold at their own pace, for this is the way of the project manager.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness.

All can know good as good only because there is evil.

Therefore having and not having arise together.

Difficult and easy complement each other.

Long and short contrast each other;

High and low rest upon each other;

Voice and sound harmonise each other;

Front and back follow one another.

Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.

The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,

Creating, yet not possessing,

Working, yet not taking credit.

Work is done, then forgotten.

Therefore it lasts forever.