The accelerated transformation of businesses poses major challenges to organizations. In its fundamental meaning, leadership is about a systematic way of highlighting the most important goals, combined with continuous execution along the most important principles. This book brings together key themes of Taoism, compiled for international managers who are on their way to becoming trusted leaders. After a brief outline of the guiding concepts, it discusses an application of selected teachings enriched by narratives from appropriate references and relevant verses from the Tao Te Ching (TTC). In this context, each individual yet coherent Taoist principle is applied in terms of its relevance to varying business environments.

By providing embedded case studies, this book offers new ideas for managers to incorporate Taoist principles into their leadership strategies.

Waldemar Schneider is an accomplished business development manager who has gained multicultural market experience in 25 years of service with international software and service companies. He held various national, regional, and international positions at IBM, SAS Institute, SAP, and InterComponentWare AG - an international healthcare company. In this context, he learned to apply Taoist principles while taking into account the integrative aspects and characteristics of different environments in a changing business world.

Introduction.- Leading principles.-Balance of power.- Applications and Implications.- TAO and TE as Unity in Diversity.- Wújí within the Company Values.- Wúwéi in the Management of Affairs.- Zirán in the Course of Events.- Qì in Cyclic Innovation.- Jing in Dynamic Adaptation.- Shen in the Sense of Community.- Héxié within Globalisation.- Appendix.