Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching Adapted for a New Age - The Tao of Leadership

Leadership is not something you are born with. Nor something you buy in the local deli. It is a life-long process of ever changing, growing, empowering others. And in the end - the best leaders are those, people around them will say "We did it ourselves." If you are ready to develop yourself into being such a leader - this is the right book for you. But be worn and remember - it will take you years to develop this unique capacity. The good thing, though, is that each and every one of us has this capacity within us. Good luck! Ronen Ben-Naphtali (Israel)

Oh wow, this is just horrible.

Heider has no credible leadership ability beyond academics and psychology, according to his own bio.
He has no ability to read the original text of the Tao Te Ching, which he uses as the basis for this book. Who does that?! Nor does this book demonstrate an understanding of Taoism beyond the new-age crystal-kissing pithy understanding. He relies more on "Eastern Mystique" than on any historical/cultural context, and seems ignorant of the volumes of exegesis on Tao Te Ching in both English and Asian Languages.

For some reason, he finds the need to bring "God" into the discussion, a great example of Heider's notable misunderstanding of any of the broad range of meanings of the Tao.

He may have some good advice for leaders in this book, but unfortunately if it exists it is couched in the worst kind of derivative psycho babble.

This book is most excellent for starting fires, though. The dry and browned paper of my 1985 edition is begging to be saved from itself. Perhaps with fire I can purge the saccharine self-satisfied words from spreading to another unsuspecting reader.

This book is priceless. The energy of this work will cause you to re-evaluate your outlook on life in a way that is pleasing to both nature and yourself. You will enjoy more relaxation and find peace of mind throughout your daily activities. I understand that each individual soul comprehends different information at different intervals of time in this time/space reality and that nothing should be pushed on anyone - but I truly feel that the information in this book will unlock doors in your soul - triggering immense wisdom - and thereby enlightening humanity. Thank you and enjoy...

Will J.

Every person in a leadership role, every boss, every CEO--in fact, everyone needs to read this book. If big companies as well as small would practice the concepts in The Tao of Leadership, this world would be a much, much nicer place to live in. -- Sam Yulish, author of WHERE HAVE ALL THE HIPPIES GONE? and THE HESITANT PSYCHIC.

I have listened to a good translation of the Tao Te Ching along with some commentary about it, which was very interesting, but some ideas from China before Christ do not translate do today's world directly. This audio book makes the Tao more useful in today's world, especially for leading groups, including therapy groups such as I do. Especially helpful are the anecdotes by a leading expert in leadership which follow each passage. I would recommend this to anyone who has read or listened to the Tao and wants to understand it better. It is especially easy to listen to in the car.

This book is the Tao Te Ching translated to leadership situations. I thought it was great, and found many quotable insights in the book.

I read this book immediately prior to a couple of important meetings with peers. I applied its guidance. I interacted more calmly, and learned much more about others, as a result.

This book is an easy read, but has profound implications.

John Heider's translation is simple, direct and poignant.

Dr. Waitley's interjections are inane, pointless and almost insultingly asinine.

I have actually made a copy of the tape and edited out all of Dr. Denis' babbling. I just can't tell you how ridiculous and offensive this idiot is.

I agree with that other guy(girl?) in that this book should be about life... not leadership. -The concepts are adapted from Lao Tzu's timeless classic; put into easily understood interpretation makes one really grasp the idea of nonresistance towards the flow of creative juices. -However, this book would be a ten if it were about life. It has been my experience that in dealing with one's own demons, one has a better understanding of another's pain. I've applied this book to both leadership situations, and daily living (though I've had to read between the lines for that).

I bought this book on reading about the couple sentences and thinking "wow that it is really insightful." And I had no idea how deep this books can be if you let it. I can't help but reflect on every chapter. I will continue to reread this books for years to come.

A great book to have on your shelf and pull out when you need some other 'advice' besides your own. Incredible stories and analogies to help the new leader or seasoned professional. I highly recommend in classes that I facilitate.

Nice little book to keep on hand for those trying times. Has lots of very relevant points - you just have to stop, think and put it in context for you.

It's also a book that allows you to look at the world around you and see the impact others have on their environment (some good & some bad) - again you have to stop, think and observe.

Maybe my mind is too cluttered or I am lacking a certain "zen' quality, but I don't find this book very useful at all. There are 81 "chapters". Each "chapter" contains an oriental pen and ink picture and one page of text. If you're looking for real content, you won't find it here.