On Evolution

Evolution favors those who favor evolution.

Perfection

Perfection seems imperfect,
for it is never finished perfecting.

Excerpted from verse 45 in Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Dwight Goddard

Integrity

The leader who knows when to stop
is free to go on.

Based on verse 44 in Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Dwight Goddard

The Net of Gems

Nets of precious stones are draped all around. Every organization is webbed with beautiful precious stones that reflect the states of all Leaders like the net of Indra, emperor of the heavens.

Some are round, some are square,
Some triangular, some octagonal;
Gemstone-wheel shaped, lotus blossoms, and so on:
All are different, according to deeds.

Adapted and excerpted from The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary

Firm but not Forceful

The good leader is firm,
but dares not take by force.
The leader should be firm but not boastful;
firm but not haughty;
firm but not arrogant;
firm but yielding to the unavoidable;
firm but not resorting to violence.

When a leader resorts to force,
things flourish for a time but then decay.

Based on verse 30 in Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Dwight Goddard

A(n Improved?) Working Definition

Leadership is the ability to articulate an outcome, and a path for attaining that outcome, in such a way that others want to effect the outcome and are willing to travel the path to achieving it.

Redemption

Embracing unity,
the leader becomes the world's model.
Not striving, the leader becomes enlightened;
not asserting -- distinguished;
not boasting -- praised;
not aggrandizing -- endures.
As much as the leader embraces the world,
the world embraces the leader.

Based on verse 22 in Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Dwight Goddard