The tao of strategy : how seven Eastern philosophies help solve twenty-first-century business challenges

The Tao of Strategy combines ancient wisdom from the Eastern world's great philosophers and lessons from modern-day business leaders to provide readers innovative approaches to unlock strategic breakthroughs for themselves and their organizations. Today's organizational strategists—including executives, managers, consultants, and the business students who aspire to join their ranks—will encounter novel ways of solving complex problems. In this engaging examination of the wisdom of Confucius and the strategies of The Art of War, the mindfulness of the Buddha and the perspectives of the Bhagavad Gita, as well as the advice of The Tao Te Ching and the fun of playing the ancient board game of Go, The Tao of Strategy presents alternative, creative ways to open up one's strategic thinking. The Tao of Strategy highlights a range of companies, from earth-moving equipment manufacturers Komatsu and Caterpillar to technology providers Infosys and Sun Microsystems to financial institutions Bank of America and Goldman Sachs. Interviews with chief executives from China Steel, PTT Group, Bacardi, Rodale Press, Aston Martin, and other organizations reveal how insights from Eastern philosophy inform the strategic decision-making of organizations and leaders around the world. By engaging with Eastern philosophy from the perspective of organizational strategy, The Tao of Strategy offers a novel approach to strategic thinking that can help readers navigate today's increasingly complex strategic challenges and unpredictable global environment. "The Tao of Strategy presents an alternative way to stimulate strategic thinking, looking to ancient times and Eastern philosophies to unlock new ways of solving complex problems. It examines Sun Tzu's Art of War, the Baghavad Gita, and the strategic board game Go; studies leaders' obligations and responsibilities via the Gita and the Tao Te Ching; and explores paths to releasing the ego and achieving a state of serenity with Buddha, Ki-Aikido, and mindfulness. The book also offers guidance on cultivating presence of mind, interpreting a wide variety of situational dynamics, and deciding on appropriate action or inaction to most effectively identify and reach strategic goals"-- Provided by publisher Cover CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION PART I: STRATEGY 1: Strategy, Insight, and Competitive Advantage 2: Warfare in Eastern Philosophy 3: Competitive Dynamics and the Chinese Game of Go PART II: THE INNER MIND 4: Dharma and the Bhagavad Gita 5: The Buddha and His Teaching 6: The Buddha and Mindfulness 7: Zen PART III: RELATIONSHIPS 8: The Tao Te Ching 9: Energy as a Strategic Force 10: Confucius PART IV: LESSONS FOR STRATEGISTS 11: Strategy as a Call to (in)Action AFTERWORD APPENDIX 1: EXECUTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS PROFILED APPENDIX 2: THE CONTENTS OF THE ART OF WAR APPENDIX 3: THE FOUR THEMES OF THE TAO TE CHING NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX