| Lao Tzu was the founder of taoism, the mystical | | | | Much better than when one is placed generously |
| 'way' or 'path' that many have followed since. | | | | in front of him, merely to eat. Sure it may be |
| From way back between the 4th and 6th | | | | good, for a while, to be provided for, but human |
| century BC, his amazing words echo down the | | | | psyche is bigger than that in a healthy human |
| centuries. | | | | being. People need to be valued for who they are. |
| As well as many more wise sayings for which he | | | | So - we 'teach them to fish'. In the workplace, by |
| is so well renowned. | | | | teaching out people new skills, we validate them |
| One of the best known is the one quoted above, | | | | for who they are and the contribution they are |
| "Give a man a fish; feed him for a day. Teach a | | | | able to make. They know they are useful and |
| man to fish; feed him for a lifetime", which has a | | | | valued and with this confidence they do more. |
| wonderful analogy with the modern world of | | | | They learn that to stretch themselves is good. |
| management today. | | | | That they have within themselves untapped |
| The metaphor of feeding someone and that | | | | resources which show off the potential they have |
| sufficing to get them through one day, and one | | | | always had, now released. |
| day alone shows that people can only be helped | | | | Indeed 'teaching them to fish' realizes not just the |
| so far. If we help them and do things for them all | | | | material potential they have, but catalyses even |
| the time, then they rely on us, which is not only | | | | bigger capabilities in them. Their development |
| unhealthy for their development of skills, but also | | | | muscle has been stretched and exercised, so it |
| potentially dangerous, if we are not there to help | | | | becomes bigger and more capable. |
| them one day, their very future is at risk. | | | | The business upside for 'teaching our people to |
| The principle whereby we rely totally on the | | | | fish'? Well, managers are able to offload some of |
| support, guidance and even nurturing of someone | | | | their tactical workload to others who relish the |
| else, for too long a period, is typical of many | | | | opportunity. This frees managers to do more with |
| modern management environments. The old-style | | | | more of their people. |
| 'command and control' management processes | | | | A workplace environment that becomes the |
| lead to employees only being required or even | | | | breeding ground for capable, committed and |
| able to do what they were told, which puts great | | | | excited employees, straining at the leash to do |
| pressure on those doing the telling. | | | | more. Managers enable their business to become |
| Not only that, but where employees are not | | | | a developmental mixing bowl of ideas and |
| provided with stimulating work and aren't asked | | | | capability like nothing before. |
| to challenge themselves mentally, this often leads | | | | In a business world where the embodiment of |
| to demotivation and then higher absence rates, as | | | | excellent management is an operation that works |
| well as employee turnover that such boredom | | | | at least as well (and sometimes better!), when the |
| precipitates. | | | | manager is absent is to be acknowledged as the |
| Lack of stimulation=boredom=frustration=leave to | | | | purest quality. |
| find something else. | | | | And with that level of capability developed, all |
| Let's look at the flip side, where we 'teach a man | | | | because the manager taught his people 'how to |
| to fish'. Not only does the man become | | | | fish', business thrives. |
| self-sufficient and be able to survive without being | | | | In the hurried excitement of the crazy business |
| provided for, but he has a sense of achievement | | | | world of today, how Lao Tzu would be impressed |
| and fulfillment. How good does an angler feel as | | | | at the relevance of his ancient words. |
| he pulls a fish from the water? | | | | |