Verse 57

If you want to be a great leader,

you must learn to follow the Tao.

Stop trying to control.

Let go of fixed plans and concepts,

and the world will govern itself.

The more prohibitions you have,

the less virtuous people will be.

The more weapons you have,

the less secure people will be.

The more subsidies you have,

the less self-reliant people will be.

Therefore the Master says:

I let go of the law,

and people become honest.

I let go of economics,

and people become prosperous.

I let go of religion,

and people become serene.

I let go of all desire for the common good,

and the good becomes common as grass.

[For Personal Development]

• Laws create two things: dependency and law breakers.
• The world is in constant flux, trying to control what happens resists this law and inevitably leads to failure.
• Stop trying to control everything and allow the flow. Let go of interference, and the world will govern itself.

[For Coaching]

• Work with the client to help them find their own answers.
• Move with the client in the moment, let go of your agenda that seeks to control the outcome.
• Coaches are leaders, not managers. Management is about organizing and staffing. Leadership, however, is about aligning people.

Verse 26

The heavy is the root of the light.
The unmoved is the source of all movement.

Thus the Master travels all daywithout leaving home.
However splendid the views,
she stays serenely in herself.

Why should the lord of the countryflit about like a fool?
If you let yourself be blown to and fro,
you lose touch with your root.
If you let restlessness move you,
you lose touch with who you are.

[For Personal Development]

• Peace of mind is an inner state and is independent of outer conditions.
• Stay connected with your root. Be proud of who you are.
• In connection with our true self, we transcend differences and find unity in the eternal Tao.
• Find your own way: developing your own principles and values creates a deep root from which the highest trees grow.

[For Coaching]

• Be tranquil so we can be flexible; remain centered so we can be fully conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client [coaching presence].
• Strong personal foundation is the structural basis that supports the growth and development of the client.
• Be authentic as a coach. Clients are attracted to us for who we are, not for what we do.

Verse 39

In harmony with the Tao,

the sky is clear and spacious,

the earth is solid and full,

all creature flourish together,

content with the way they are,

endlessly repeating themselves,

endlessly renewed.

When man interferes with the Tao,

the sky becomes filthy,

the earth becomes depleted,

the equilibrium crumbles,

creatures become extinct.

The Master views the parts with compassion,

because he understands the whole.

His constant practice is humility.

He doesn't glitter like a jewel

but lets himself be shaped by the Tao,

as rugged and common as stone.

[For Personal Development]

• Environmental degradation is evidence that humans are out of balance, in disharmony with universal forces.
• It is much better to take a holistic approach in what we do, and see problems as vehicles for growth.
• Aligning yourself with the flow of the universe and living in joy, harmony, radiant health and love. Life does not have to be a struggle.

[For Coaching]

• Paint a picture for your client when you coach. Metaphors and stories are engaging and memorable. [Lao Tzu did such a great job in this verse!]
• As coaches when we are in harmony with the clients, we are grounded in the moment and hold a clear, safe space open for the dance to flourish.
• The practise of humility enables us to see the client as whole and not needing to be fixed.