44: Owning or Owned

The wise project manager gives up things for that will make him truly richer. Be still and discover your inner security. If you have that, you will have what you want anyway.

The Tao

Lao Tzu tells us:

Fame or self: Which matters more?

Self or wealth: Which is more precious?

Gain or loss: Which is more painful?

He who is attached to things will suffer much.

He who saves will suffer heavy loss.

A contented man is never disappointed.

He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.

He will stay forever safe.

43: Gentle Interventions

The wise project manager takes a gentle approach to things.  If there is a problem with someone he steps back and yields knowing that their resistance will relax.  The wise project manager knows how much how little can achieve.  

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

The softest thing in the universe 

Overcomes the hardest thing in the universe. 

That without substance can enter where there is no room. 

Hence I know the value of non-action.  

Teaching without words and work without doing 

Are understood by very few. 

42: The Creative Process

In order to lead the wise project manager learns how to follow. In order to prosper the wise project manager learns to run the project simply. The creativity comes from the interaction between the people in the team. 

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

The Tao begot one.

One begot two.

Two begot three.

And three begot the ten thousand things.

The ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang.

They achieve harmony by combining these forces.

Men hate to be orphaned, widowed or worthless,

But this is how kings and lords describe themselves.

For one gains by losing

And looses by gaining.

What others teach, I also teach; that is:

A violent man will die a violent death!

This will be the essence of my teaching.

41: Disturbing Wisdom

People who do not see how things happen are sceptical about the wise project manager’s behaviour. It is not easy to understand a person whose foundation is invisible. But this is the way things happen.

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.

The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.

The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.

If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.

Hence it is said:

The bright path seems dim;

Going forward seems like retreat;

The easy way seems hard;

The highest virtue seems empty;

Great purity seems sullied;

A wealth of virtue seems inadequate;

The strength of virtue seems frail;

Real virtue seems unreal;

The perfect square has no corners;

Great talents ripen later;

The highest notes are hard to hear;

The greatest form has no shape.

The Tao is hidden and without a name.

The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfilment.