Leadership theory – 4 types of leaders

Here I’m briefly introducing the 4 types of leaders introduced by Lao Tse in the Tao Te Ching. The basic premise is that the ultimate leader is almost invisible – invisible through recognizing that a person / people are most effective when they are self-motivated or self-empowered. He uses the analogy of the ocean that by taking the lowest position moves all things toward it (rivers / streams). People influenced by such a leader attribute success to their own merit – they would say: “we have done this – thanks to ourselves” and this way achieve greater self-satisfaction.

This type of leader possesses an inherent trust in their own spontaneous evaluation of any situation or person and provides avenues for those around him / her to access their unique self-motivation.