59: Being Aware

I have just realized that I can’t use an existing translation of the Tao in my self-published book as that makes it open source. So now I have to work on my own translation. Bad news for work effort but good news for a deeper understanding of the way. Fortunately there is a great web site “the Translator’s Resource web site (www.taoteching.co.uk)” which seems to provides everything I need.

The project manager needs to be aware of what is happening and how things happen, so that he can act accordingly. The wise project manager learns to become increasingly conscious, for this is the way of the project manager.

Lao Tzu tells us:

In caring for others and serving heaven,

There is nothing like using restraint.

Restraint begins with giving up one’s own ideas.

This depends on Virtue gathered in the past.

If there is a good store of Virtue, then nothing is impossible.

If nothing is impossible, then there are no limits.

If a man knows no limits, then he is fit to be a ruler.

The mother principle of ruling holds good for a long time.

This is called having deep roots and a firm foundation,

The Tao of long life and eternal vision.

58: Facilitation

I'm currently working on revisions to the second draft of "The Way of the Project Manager" and will then be self-publishing it on Amazon. It's quite interesting going back over all the old topics again and trying to make sure they build on one another and aren't too repetitive. This topic is all about control.

The wise project manager learns to trust what is happening in the project team. He facilitates the unfolding team process. He knows how to have a profound influence without making things happen, for this is the way of the project manager.

Lao Tzu tells us:

When the country is ruled with a light hand,

The people are simple.

When the country is ruled with severity,

The people are cunning.

Happiness is rooted in misery.

Misery lurks beneath happiness.

Who knows what the future holds?

There is no honesty.

Honesty becomes dishonest.

Goodness becomes witchcraft.

Man’s bewitchment lasts for a long time.

Therefore the sage is sharp but not cutting,

Pointed but not piercing,

Straightforward but not unrestrained,

Brilliant but not blinding.

57: Doing Less and Being More

I have just finished the first draft of The Way of the Project Manager and it’s over to my proof-reader (a critical member of the team) to check. I have picked one of my photographs of Dartmoor, which shows a very ancient way, for the front cover.

Good leadership consists of doing less and being more, for this is the way of the project manager.

Lao Tzu tells us:

Rule a nation with justice.

Wage war with surprise moves.

Become master of the universe without striving.

How do I know that this is so?

Because of this!

The more laws and restrictions there are,

The poorer people become.

The sharper men’s weapons,

The more trouble is in the land.

The more ingenious and clever men are,

The more strange things happen.

The more rules and regulations,

The more thieves and robbers.

Therefore the sage says:

I take no action and people are reformed.

I enjoy peace and people become honest.

I do nothing and people become rich.

I have no desires and people return to the good and simple life.

56: Integrity

The wise project manager knows that words cannot capture the true nature of events so he does not try to use them. His integrity is not idealistic; it rests on a pragmatic knowledge of how things work. There are no obstacles on the way,  the obstacles are the way.

Lao Tzu tells us: 

Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do not know. 

Keep your mouth closed. 
Guard your senses. 
Temper your sharpness. 
Simplify your problems. 
Mask your brightness. 
Be at one with the dust of the world. 
This is primal union. 

He who has achieved this state. 
Is unconcerned with friends and enemies. 
With good and harm, with honour and disgrace. 
This therefore is the highest state of man.

55: Vital Energy

The wise project manager builds commitment by influencing, delegating, negotiating, team building and creating ownership (the soft skills). 

Lao Tzu tells us:

He who is filled with virtue is like a new born child.
Wasps and serpents will not sting him;
Wild beasts will not pounce upon him;
He will not be attacked by birds of prey.
His bones are soft, his muscles are weak,
But his grip is firm.
He has not experienced the union of man and woman, but is whole.
His manhood is strong.
He screams all day without becoming hoarse.
This is perfect harmony.

Knowing harmony is constancy.
Knowing constancy is enlightenment.

It is not wise to rush about.
Controlling the breath causes strain.
If too much energy is used, exhaustion follows.
This is not the way of the Tao.
Whatever is contrary to the Tao will not last long. 
  

54: The Ripple Effect

The wise project manager first gets his own life in order. He grounds himself in the single principle so that his behaviour is wholesome and effective. This behaviour then influences the people he comes into contact with and ripples outwards. 

Lao Tzu tells us:

What is firmly established cannot be uprooted.
What is firmly grasped cannot slip away.
It will be honoured from generation to generation.

Cultivate virtue in yourself,
And virtue will be real.
Cultivate it in the family,
And virtue will abound.
Cultivate it in the village,
And virtue will grow.
Cultivate it in the nation,
And virtue will be abundant.
Cultivate it in the universe,
And virtue will be everywhere.

Therefore look at the body as body;
Look at the family as family;
Look at the village as village;
Look at the nation as nation;
Look at the universe as universe.

How do I know the universe is like this?
By looking.