The Way of Subtle Influence

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“Superior leaders are those whose existence is merely known; the next best are loved and honoured; the next are respected and the next are ridiculed.”

“Those who lack belief will not in turn be believed. But when the command comes from afar and the work is done, the goal is achieved, the people say ‘We did it naturally.'”

Subtle authority is particularly suited to the temperaments of those who would be led. When leaders become overbearing and interfere with the lives of their people, the task of leading becomes unnatural. But when leaders hold back and establish goals indirectly – through trusting and carefully worded commands – people find satisfaction with their work and become more productive.

By not interfering, enlightened leaders are able to remain unobtrusive. As a result, they gain power from the people’s sense of self-government. The more they conceal their power, the more effectively it can be used.

Enlightened leaders are impartial, intuitive and aware. Their influence and power comes from using their energy to guide rather than to rule. (17)

The superior leader whose existence is merely known is an intriguing figure. Their influence is great but is not recognised by the people generally. People don’t realise how much influence they have. It is more difficult to be this kind of leader than the higher profile type since to remain hidden calls for more subtly than the average leader has. Because people like to exercise their sense of self-government, the subtle leader gains power by allowing them to feel empowered.

http://www.cit.griffith.edu.au/~davidt/tao/the_way_of_subtle_influence.htm