The Tao of Strategy - by L J Bourgeois & Serge Eygenson & Kanokrat Namasondhi (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

Providing a survey of Eastern philosophy to Western readers, The Tao of Strategy helps us understand the strategic behavior of Eastern leaders and their companies, teaching Western managers how to apply these concepts to their own thinking and actions. A very useful, interesting, and truly original treatment of an important topic.

--Phil Rosenzweig, Institute for Management Development (IMD) Switzerland, author of The Halo Effect and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers

An inspiring primer on a wide range of Asian philosophies and wisdom with a difference. The difference is in the ample use of real business cases, on the level of strategic decision-making, to provide perspectives and applications of the various philosophies. The Tao of Strategy is an enjoyable read for not just business executives, but for anyone interested in Asian philosophies and wisdom.

--Kingsley Liu, CEO, Casey Companies, Ltd., Hong Kong

Successful strategy is an inspired practice, an arena to play out the best of ourselves or the worst of ourselves. The Tao of Strategy is the perfect guidebook to become the best of ourselves, both in business and in life.

--Maria Rodale, former CEO, Rodale Press

About the Author

L. J. Bourgeois III is Emeritus Professor and Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Initiatives at the Darden School of Business and author of Strategic Management: From Concept to Implementation. Serge Eygenson is a Washington, D.C.-based consultant at a leading strategy consulting firm. Based in Bangkok, Kanokrat (Mint) Namasondhi is a consultant at a global management consulting firm and a CFA charterholder.