Chapter 3 - Others

Do not glorify the achievers
So the people will not squabble
Do not treasure goods that are hard to obtain
So the people will not become thieves
Do not show the desired things
So their hearts will not be confused

Thus the governance of the sage:
Empties their hearts
Fills their bellies
Weakens their ambitions
Strengthens their bones

Let the people have no cunning and no greed
So those who scheme will not dare to meddle

Act without contrivance
And nothing will be beyond control

What Does It Mean?

The Tao Te Ching will tell you to not teach people about the Tao.  Due to the nature of having no words, you can't teach it like math.  Due to how opposites work, forcing people into it is the easiest way to drive people away.

If you cannot teach Tao directly and you cannot tell people your philosophies without driving people away, how are you suppose to run a organization with Tao in mind?

Lets put this in context of being a retail manager.

If you make someone an assistant manager or fire someone and make a big deal out of it, it doesn't matter why.  You will create tension and make everyone question your decision.  If you brag about all the extra things you can afford with your higher salary, everyone will be jealous of you.  If you demand things exactly your way, your staff will wonder if it's even worth it to still work there.

This is all the way opposites work.

I know this personally.  I was a retail manager and I did all of these things.  I got demoted pretty quick when I demoralized my entire staff this way.  I learned from opposites then and it was ultimately good for me.

I think the optimal way now to manage is to just do the job yourself simply without expecting others to do anything.  Those closer to the Tao will just do the work with you.  Those who are full of desire will eventually get bored and leave.  If you keep it simple and value free, there is no way to be sneaky to abuse the work for personal gain.

In the end, those that stay will work for it's own sake, and that is close to the Tao.

This idea works everywhere if you're not afraid enough to give up control.

Movies:

Go watch the old The Karate Kid to see Taoist management in action.  The tournament at the end is actually the least important part of the movie if you're looking for philosophy.