Over 2500 years old, this is one of my favourite leadership quotes. Empowering others, rather than self glorification, lies at the heart of real leadership – try telling that to some of the big business egos!
To lead people, walk beside them…
As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence.
The next best, the people honour and praise.
The next, the people fear;
and the next, the people hate…
When the best leader's work is done the people say,
"WE DID IT OURSELVES!"
Lao-tzu (570?-490? BC)
I read this earlier today and have found myself thinking about it on and off during the day.
It’s a great quote, both stunning and worrying at the same time.
Stunning in that it remains as true today as it was in 570 – 490? B.C.
Worrying in that it poses the question “how far have we (collectively) really developed since then?”