As many of you know, I love the stories from Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu). He was a sage that stood apart from others in Chinese history. He was a unique presence, who was well known for his deep understanding of the Dao (Tao) and sense of humor. A great mind that lived twenty-four hundred years ago, during the warring states period in China.
Zhuang Zi loved to teach through stories. The tales he created drew his students in, captured their imagination, and conveyed the Dao in unforgettable ways.
This is another one of my favorites, wonderfully translated by Derek Lin in his book, The Tao of Happiness:
The Dao of the Bandit
Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a notorious bandit by the name of Zhi who led a group of outlaws. One day, one of his men asked him: “Hey boss, do we bandits have the Dao?”
The other bandits thought this might be a joke, but Zhi answered seriously: “Absolutely! How can we not follow the principles of the Dao? In fact, there are five of them that are especially important.”
The men all wanted to know what the five principles were so Zhi listed them one by one:
“A bandit has to be able to figure out where people hide their treasures. This is the principle of insight, being able to see what others cannot.”
“A bandit has to be willing to go into a heavily guarded mansion first. This is the principle of courage, leading the way with bravery and determination.”
“A bandit also has to be willing to cover everyone’s exit by being the last to leave. This is the principle of loyalty, sacrificing one’s safety to protect one’s fellows.”
“A bandit has to be able to evaluate a situation in terms of danger, safety, failure and success. This is the principle of discernment, the ability to think clearly and judge wisely.”
“Lastly, a bandit has to make sure everyone gets an equal share of the loot. This is the principle of fairness, so no one will be left out.”
“These five principles – insight, courage, loyalty, discernment, and fairness – are the Dao of the bandits. If you do not have all five, it will be impossible for your to become a great bandit.”
Derek Lin’s Commentary
Was Zhuang Zi actually teaching people how to excel as bandits? Not quite. He chose to tell the story this way for a dramatic effect and to highlight the universal nature of his message. If the Dao applied even to bandits, then one could be quite certain then it would apply to other walks of life.
This story is not only for people who aspire to become great leaders. You can still benefit from it even if you have no such aspirations. The five principles can help you evaluate the leaders you come across, so you can identify the ones that are closest to the Dao.
For example, in the world of business we often see an entrepreneur leading employees, or a manager leading his or her team. Such leaders would use the principles in the following ways:
1. Insight
They must look both further and deeper in order to be insightful. Good business leaders are unconventional thinkers. Sometimes they see reasons to be cautious when others see only a profitable situation to exploit. Other times, they see opportunities where the others see only trouble.
2. Courage
They must lead by personal example rather than by words. Those that talk more than they do may sometimes succeed as critics, but they will always fail as leaders. They must also take action proactively and be willing to do what they ask of others. Their willingness is what imparts authority to their delegation of tasks.
3. Loyalty
They must be the first to offer their loyalty to the team. They understand that a good team takes care of its members so that every person will take good care of the team. Team loyalty is a powerful force in any enterprise. Great leaders understand how to harness this force and build on it.
4. Discernment
They must be able to make accurate evaluations and assessments. This is particularly crucial when leading the way through an unstable economy or into a highly competitive marketplace. It’s all about knowing the probabilities, the potential payoffs, and where to place one’s bets.
5. Fairness
They must always be equitable. Nothing destroys a team faster than a leader who plays favorites. A good leader makes sure everyone does his or her fair share of work, and no one is allowed to slack off. When the team wins, a good leader makes sure everyone benefits equally. No one gets left out.
Zhi was able to succeed as a bandit by following these principles. Similarly, a business leader can do the same and enjoy success at his or her chosen level, from a small business owner to a tycoon or captain of industry.
The universal nature of the Dao means these are the same five principles we should follow in every aspect of life involving group dynamics, not just in business. Whether you are interacting with family, friends, neighbors, or community, you may find yourself in a situation where people are looking to you for direction – even if you do not want to take on that responsibility.
Look at the people from the perspective of your journey and it is easy to see that they are your fellow travelers, sharing the same path with you. At that moment, you are ahead of the pack, blazing a trail for them and showing them the way. Think of Zhi the bandit, and use insight, courage, loyalty, discernment, and fairness to guide you into the Dao of leadership.
‘The Tao of Happiness‘ has 18 stories from Zhuang Zi with commentary. Derek Lin does an excellent job! Highly recommended!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander K Tan is a licensed Acupuncturist. After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China. A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex’s bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives. He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. For more about Alex click here
Alex runs a clinic in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona. Alex welcomes comments and questions to his articles. To book an appointment in person or telco-appointment click here
