18: Taking Sides

There is often a lot of pressure at key times in a project. The wise project manager needs to calm the team, reassure them and bring them back to the way. 

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

When the great Tao is forgotten,

Kindness and morality arise.

When wisdom and intelligence are born,

The great pretence begins.

When there is no peace within the family,

Filial piety and devotion arise.

When the country is confused and in chaos,

Loyal ministers appear.

17: Facilitation

The wise project manager  facilitates with a light touch and delegates wisely. Greatness does not come to those who go looking for it, it comes out of humility. 

The Tao
Lao Tsu tells us:

The very highest is barely known to men.
Then comes that which they know and love,
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.

He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.
When actions are performed
Without unnecessary speech,
People say, “We did it!”

16: Letting Go

The wise project manager does not claim to be perfect or want to be admired, for it would only be an illusion. 

The Tao
Lao Tsu tells us:

Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind rest at peace.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.


Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.

15: The Project Manager’s Teachers

The wise project manager is not trying to be enlightened, because he is enlightened. 

The Tao

Lao Tsu tells us:

The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.

The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.

Because it is unfathomable,

All we can do is describe their appearance.

Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.

Alert, like men aware of danger.

Courteous, like visiting guests.

Yielding, like ice about to melt.

Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.

Hollow, like caves.

Opaque, like muddy pools.

Who can wait quietly while the mud settles?

Who can remain still until the moment of action?

Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfilment.

Not seeking fulfilment, they are not swayed by desire for change.