The Tao of Management

Management moves / or
the Tao of Management

Tai Chi, yoga and other movement sciences shows us tools to help us
relax and to shows us how to move. This article started from a place
where it was asked what could be learned to apply to management from
these ancient disciplines – realising that both management and movement
is about the change that we want to see around us.

Please find below 8 principles that can contribute to our
understanding of management that is drawn from these movement
sciences.

Every Movement Starts
from the Centre

When Moving:

When we move from the centre, everything else follows naturally. The
movement of the centre always comes first and leads the rest of the
movement. It takes much practice to learn to move from the centre and
then it becomes a way to think about the body and being.

“If we learn to go with the flow of the universe, to work with the
natural rhythms of life becomes so much easier.”

In Management:

In management we need to realise that movements start in the centre –
both of what people believe and in taking responsibility as managers and
in being all that you can be. Build a strong core and good will come off
it. This involves working with people that are close to you and building
strong relationships. Move your mind and the body will follow. Move your
spirit and the world will follow.

Feel the sky – touch the
earth

When Moving:

Keep the back straight and the head drawn upwards towards heaven.
Align the energy centres. Keep the head held upwards, do not let the
head drop forward to look at the hands or feet. Follow them with the
eyes. Bring it down and with your hands touch the earth. Feel the
connection to the earth and centre.

“We learn to maintain our connection to divine guidance, to let
spirit direct our lives.”

In Management

Dream big visions that are ambitious but keep grounded and remember
that success comes through others. Remain grounded and never forget that
work still needs to get done. Managers become bigger than the work and
they direct others without understanding what is involved. The most
powerful and respected managers understand what is involved at the
lowest level of their organisations and respect that. They touch the sky
and press the earth.

Everything is Curved,
Nothing is Straight

In movement:

Keep the wrists, elbows and fingers unlocked. Keep the shoulders
down. Open up the hips unlock the knees and the ankles. Locking any of
the joints cuts the energy flow. We give way rather than resist. Once we
are locked and rigid we are vulnerable.

“We learn the path of least resistance, to flow like a river. Avoid
rigidity in our lives, be open to different approaches, different
ways.”

In management:

We know in management that everything is not always straight. While
we charge ahead towards a goal – people, processes and resources always
enter the picture. We need to plan for contingencies, not everything
will go our way all the time and sometimes that is for the better,
sometimes not. Either way – we need to be able to continue business.
Being flexible allows for possibilities that did not exist before.

Create space to be yourself

In movement:

Keep the arms and the hands away from the body, give your self space.
Make sure that there is space under the arms for the body to breath
freely. We work not only on the physical level but also out into the
energy fields around us. The more open and confident we are, the more
open and confident our movements.

“In order to make change in your life you need to give yourself time
and space.”

In management:

We need to allow people to grow and express their thoughts, ideas and
creative power. By standing in the way of people we only stand in the
way of achieving business objectives. Sometimes we need to give people
time and space to achieve objectives. Another view is that you can
either control time or space, but not both.

At
the same time be both strong but also supple like a bamboo

In movement:

Make sure that you are well rooted into the ground, that your stance
is strong and well grounded. Keep the upper body relaxed and the upper
body movement flowing. We keep the connection to earth energy through
our strong stance enabling us to balance the strong energy of
heaven.

“We maintain balance in our lives. While we seek spiritual growth and
development we also stay grounded in our physical existence.”

In management:

In business – honesty, integrity, strong work ethics, passion,
commitment and inspiration grounds us. It is the things we need to
remain firm on seeing at all times, and that we should not tolerate if
it is being compromised. At the same time we need to ensure that the
energy flows through our organisation and that organisational and
systemic blockages in the organisation is addressed. Just having great
ideas without execution is not enough.

Everything Changes,
Nothing Stays the Same

In movement:

Always move as if you are ready for the unexpected. Put down the heel
first, so you can turn to face a different direction. Sink the weight
down gently so that you can lift up again if necessary. Adapt your form
to how you feel. Sometimes stronger and more expansive, sometimes soft,
gentle and nurturing.

“Experience the universal dance of life, the constant interplay of
positive and negative. Expect the unexpected in your life. Nothing will
stay the same for long. Be open to change and see it as exciting rather
than threatening.”

In management:

Be open at least to the possibility that the way that you are
thinking about the business problem you are experiencing right now – it
completely different to how it will play out. In being prepared for
anything and to see opportunity, some of the greatest ideas of our time
have surfaced. Try to say no less often and yes more often. Being open
to change allows organisations to move forward. Also drive change – do
not always be driven by it. Be the change you want to see.

Seek your own interpretation

In movement:

Always seek stillness when you do your movement practice. Use quiet
surroundings, still the mind and still the emotions. Let the movement
rise out of the stillness. We work with the subtle energy of life. Our
awareness of our spirit and of our senses comes with a quiet mind,
focused and alert.

“If we are to know ourselves as we truly are, we first need to find
stillness and peace inside. It is only through this stillness, through
knowing our true self that we can make sustained change in our
lives.”

In management:

Find your own path. Don’t try to copy people – be authentic, lead and
find your own path. Be all that you could possibly be – but be it
because you believe in it yourself. When you reflect investigate how you
feel about a specific situation – find your own voice and be true to
your own destiny. Most great leaders and managers grow themselves and
form their own opinions. They let people around themselves discover
themselves and grow the business.

Suspend judgement and seek
truth

In movement

Let the movement come from the turn of the waist and the shifting of
the weight, with only minimal movement of the arms, wrists and hands. By
looking for minimal effort we get maximal freedom and get the most out
of the experience of the movement.

“Our perception of the world around us is based on judgement and does
not represent the truth. Learn to look beyond your perception to see the
truth.”

In management

Always use facts, data and real cases to back up emotions. While it
is great feeling that something will work, it is also important to be
practical about it and to put in place the necessary actions to ensure
that it achieved. Look at the smallest thing that can make the most
difference and actually do it. Don’t just think about it – but move your
mind, move your body.

Conclusion

As life is a dance and we grapple with better ways to manage,
sometimes we can seek and find inspiration in the strangest places. Be
at least open to the possibility that there may be a different way to
look at things and maybe you too will find management inspiration in new
ideas.