Learning from Tao Te Ching Verse 17 — Leading With Trust, Harmony, and Peace
In Tao Te Ching Verse 17, Lao Tzu inspires us to view leadership through a wise, insightful lens. Some of his ideas are radically 180 degrees from the ways we’ve been groomed to understand and experience leadership in our world.
In reading about and understanding his views, it’s helpful to notice that ‘leadership’ takes on many forms. It includes everything from motherhood to leading a nonprofit or running a Fortune 500 company.
Shockingly, Lao Tzu’s words remain as true today as they were when they were written over 2000 years ago.
Let’s get started by reviewing the Tao Te Ching Verse 17.
Dr. Wayne Dyer’s interpretation:
“With the greatest leader above them
people barely know one exists.
Next comes one whom they love and praise.
Next comes one whom they fear.
Next comes one whom they despise and defy.
When a leader trusts no one,
no one trusts him.
The great leader speaks little.
He never speaks carelessly.
He works without self-interest
and leaves no trace.
When all is finished, the people say,
“We did it ourselves.”
Tao Te Ching Verse 17 urges us to lead by example.
“Truly inspiring leaders get results by their own example: They encourage others to be responsible and do the right thing, but not by proclaiming and bragging about their unimpeachable management.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer.
I’ve heard this concept many times, but it’s challenging to fully embrace its impact.
Still, it’s clear: the best leader is the one who sets the tone and leads by example. The energy they embody is their most powerful tool to direct and guide.
And it’s not about managing and micromanaging. It’s about leading by showing how it’s done.
Verse 17 teaches us to encourage others to follow their own path.
“The supreme Taoist leader always leaves people to choose and pursue their way of life, their own conception of the good.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer.
We’ve often been indoctrinated to believe that we must strongly encourage others to do things the way we think they should. We gather our experiences and all the lessons we’ve learned and impose them upon others with the intention of improving their outcomes.
Unfortunately, this is not the guidance Lao Tzu suggests. We can’t possibly begin to know what’s best for someone else. They, alone, must follow their own north star to live the life they are meant to live.
Nowhere has this been more relevant to me than in motherhood. But the point is to teach our kids to follow their own lead.
A leader in modern-day parenting, Dr. Shefali, says, “The goal of conscious parenting is to clear the way for the natural unfolding of the child’s true self.”
The Tao Te Ching Verse 17 encourages us to lead with trust — expect the best from everyone.
Leading with trust is probably the teaching that hits at the heart the most.
Think about the power you feel when someone trusts you to make the right decisions. I know that it has been huge for me.
Because when someone trusts you, they may see something inside you that you don’t even see yourself. Their trust might make you feel a new sense of pride in yourself and in what you’re capable of accomplishing.
Brene Brown says, “We can’t ask people to give us something we don’t believe we are worthy of receiving. And you will know you are worthy of receiving it when you trust yourself above everyone else.”
So, to trust others, we must trust ourselves. And that is the core foundation of becoming a wise and enlightened leader.
** Read more about Brene Brown and trusting yourself here.
Verse 17 states that authentic leaders allow others to shine.
“If you look at others’ accomplishments as a reason to be rewarded, promoted, or complimented, change your viewpoint. Let praise go to those who benefit from your leadership.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer.
Oh man, this is a good one too.
It’s a weak leader who wants all the credit to be given to himself.
The best rulers know their inner strengths, talents, and capabilities and don’t require validation from outside themselves.
They graciously allow others to take full responsibility for their accomplishments and enjoy nothing more than watching them shine.
My experience with the messages from the Tao Te Ching verse 17:
This has been a challenging concept for me as I look back at how I handled things over time. Maybe that’s because it represents a way of being that was so unfamiliar to me.
When it came to leadership in my profession, I tended to micromanage. I sometimes believed, “I have to make sure that everything is doing exactly as I want it to be done!” I also sometimes lacked trust. I didn’t always feel that I could trust others to complete tasks in the “right way.”
I can remember a time when I needed to let go.
After owning the practice for seven years, I remarried and moved across the county. During that transition period, I had no choice but to trust others to lead the practice for me.
I remember being pleasantly surprised to see how the team rose to the occasion. Things were getting done without my even having to ask. I thought to myself, “I should have taken this approach a long time ago.” It was proof that I needed to let go.
In terms of motherhood:
As for parenting, where do I even begin?
The “lead by example” definitely rings true.
For a long time, I thought I had to constantly coach and train, and I’m sure I still often do that now, but I forgot that my example is my most powerful tool in parenting.
I learned that how I perceive myself and the value I place upon my feelings and thoughts is the baseline from which my daughter will perceive her value.
There is ultimately no better way than to lead by example.
But this is, in some ways, harder because you have to take full responsibility for your behaviors and recognize the imprint you are making on those who are watching very closely.
Expecting the best from everyone is also a powerful tool. It reminds me to give everyone an A from The Art of Possibility. We often get exactly what we expect from others.
Wrapping it up:
So, what do you think? Do any of the messages resonate with you? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
