The Hindu Business Line : Begin with Tao

Appear weak when you are strong. Turn your liabilities into assets. Win before you fight. Let your style support your career. Adopt the best of masculine and feminine energies. Get promoted without trying too hard...

On all these and more, Chin-Ning Chu offers tips in `The Art of War for Women' (www.landmarkonthenet.com) . `Sun Tzu's ancient strategies and wisdom' are most apt for women, says the author, because `his advice is always designed to produce the best result with the least amount of conflict.'

The first lesson is on Tao, righteousness, to guide you in making winning decisions. "All things good, brilliant, righteous, creative, innovative, ecstatic, sweet, and joyful are rooted in Tao," explains Chin. "If you are downbeat, discouraged, depressed, or desperate, it is impossible to come up with successful strategies and ideas."

So, what should you do when you're too anxious? "It is best to do nothing until you can let your anxiety go so that harmony, hope, and optimism - the characteristics of Tao - can be restored," counsels the author. "When you hear your mind chanting `I want. I want. I must have,' stop. Take a breath and try to gain some perspective. Pretend your life and the work you are doing are someone else's - and your desperation will vanish. The more you act from desperation, the less likely you will succeed."

To women from Mars, a sobering takeaway in the book is that they will never be CEO. "The woman from Mars is a nitpicker. Her need for perfection makes her intolerant of everything," explains Chin. "Women from Mars lead by intimidation and by instilling fear in their employees." Their bullying ways may at times allow them `to move up the ladder quickly,' but they will never be trusted with running a company, says the author.

If given total control of the company, the Martian woman `would make work a living hell for every single employee'. Recommended read for the working woman.

http://BookPeek.blogspot.com

More Stories on : Books | Manage Mentor | Gender

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Getting to know your boss

Appraisals get a scientific edge

`The road to the top, should take a turn on the way'

`ISB has set many global benchmarks'

Begin with Tao