Liangrong Zu1,2, Hualiang Lu3

(1. Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing, China; 2. International Training Centre of the ILO Turin, Italy;

3. Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing, China)

 

 

Abstract: The paper examines how Taoism, particularly, the Taoist bible, the Tao Te Ching (the Way and the Virtue), written by Lao Tzu over 2500 years ago, can be of relevance for business managers and leaders who wish to enhance their leadership qualities in sustainable risk and crisis management. Taoism is one of the most influential philosophies in the world, and the Taoism’s wisdom reflected in the Tao Te Ching has inspired and guided people with precepts of harmony, compassion, cooperation, integrity, humility and prudence over the past years. The political and business leaders have drawn inspiration from the Taoism’s wisdom to govern their organizations effectively and successfully. Today when the human community is facing the heightened contemporary fears about increasingly fractured relations between humanity and natural world, from resource depletion and species extinction to pollution overload, the classical wisdom of Taoism provide new insights and values for human community to be in search of the solutions to social and environmental crisis and new and sustainable relationships to the earth. The paper combines the ancient wisdom with lessons from successful leaders to provide the different resources and approaches to sustainable risk management.

 

 

Key words: Taoism; wisdom; risk and crisis management; sustainability; social responsibility

 

JEL code: M140