Having written previously in Property Industry Eye about Buddhism and Hinduism, I have turned my heart, mind and eyes even further East to look at Taoism.

Back in the 1990’s I was fortunate to be able to spend four weeks travelling across China and I was mesmerised by the history and culture that often stemmed from Taoism or Daoism. In amongst the great sites such as The Terracotta Warriors at Xian, the Great Wall, the Three Gorges, the Forbidden City and the splendour of great cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, I lost count of how many Taoist temples I visited.

Taoism or Daoism is a diverse tradition indigenous to China, variously characterised as both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism emphasises living in harmony with the Tao which literally means  “the path” or “the way.”  It is a universal principle that underlies everything from the creation of galaxies to the interaction of human beings, an impersonal, enigmatic process of transformation ultimately underlying reality.

The Tao of Strategy offers valuable insights from Eastern philosophy that can complement our Western business strategies. Here are five key principles inspired by Taoism that can guide leadership in business:

Preparation is Essential: Just as Taoism emphasises preparation and continuous learning and improvement, successful strategies require extensive groundwork. Do your homework, analyse thoroughly, and build a solid foundation before making decisions.

Cultivate A Beginner’s Mind: Over analysing historical data can lead to paralysis by analysis. Approach strategy with a beginner’s mind—free from biases and assumptions. This openness allows for breakthrough insights and prevents mistaking new developments as simply history repeating itself.

Clear Thinking and Presence of Mind: Strategic insight arises from clear thinking. Develop methods to clear your mind, especially during moments of duress. Presence of mind perpetuates the ability to see things comprehensively and experience flashes of insight.

Self-Awareness and Authentic Leadership: Taoism encourages self-cultivation. Leaders should cultivate self-awareness for mindful and authentic leadership. Transcending ego and serving humbly also align with Taoist principles.

Doing the Right Things Right: Holistic and sustainable leadership involves doing the right things right. Efficiency and effectiveness. Taoism emphasises harmony, balance, and alignment with natural principles, which can guide ethical and effective business practices.

These principles can provide a fresh perspective beyond just the use of analytical tools, fostering creativity and strategic intuition.

Michael S Day is the managing director at Integra Property Services