By “Sage” Lao Tzu means a great leader or an enlightened person, not just a wise person. Lao Tzu is describing an ideal leader as one who does not hoard wealth, but who leads through generosity. Indeed, science proves him right.

Among humanity’s closest relatives, troop leaders are supposed to provide for the troop. Chimpanzees will overthrow despotic leaders, Bonobos epitomize the saying “make love, not war,” and gorilla silverbacks will allow orphan babies to sleep with them in their nests—why? Because gorilla females choose to mate with males who are good with babies. Silverbacks take in orphan babies, but is it altruism or a mating strategy? Does it matter? The fact is that our closest relatives reward generous leaders.

How has this played out in human history? Here in the US, the greatest thing any president has ever done was George Washington NOT running for a third term. He knew that if he won a third term and died in office, he would set the precedent of lifetime presidencies. So, he voluntarily gave up power to set the precedent and tradition that American presidents would serve only two terms, and of course this later became codified in the Constitution. Like Lao Tzu’s Sage, Washington did not hoard power—he gave it away for future generations, and he is fondly remembered for that.

What about you? In what ways are you a generous leader?

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This is one of my Big Ideas posts—where I explore how new ideas, good science, creativity, and ethical leadership can help us build a better world. I believe ADHD leaders have the empathy and creativity to solve the world’s biggest problems, and I want to support as many of them as possible as they step into leadership. Take what resonates, and make it your own.

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I took this photo of the Sword of Appreciation at the Owyhee County Museum & Library in Murphy, Idaho. The display said:

‘Sword of Appreciation

This “sword” is made of bamboo and Chinese coins. It was given by the Chinese in Idaho as a token of appreciation to a non-Chinese who had befriended the Chinese.”

I wish I knew the names of the people and the story behind it, but that’s what the sign said.

Resources:

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (trans. Stephen Mitchell)

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/political_primates/

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/power_paradox

https://nautil.us/why-do-animals-adopt-1168695/