Once such book is Real Power: Business Lessons from the Tao Te Ching, by James Autry and Stephen Mitchell, Berkley Publishing Group, 1999. The authors examine ancient writings to uncover the keys to achieving power in organizations today. The premise of the book is that the only when we learn to let go of the illusion of control can we empower others and ourselves. The authors contend that people already have power in the form of their commitment, their skills and passion for their work. It's the leader's job to tap into that power, rather than control it. Today's effective leaders subscribe to power with people rather than power over people.

The following are selected quotes from the book:

On the merits of flexibility in leadership: "Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead they are brittle and dry.

Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life . . "

On the exchange of information: "Those who know don't talk. Those who talk don't know . . ."

The leader as follower: "All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead people, you must learn how to follow them."

Dealing with discontent in the workplace by allowing honest communication: "If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand. If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to flourish."

More is not necessarily better. Time for reflection and thinking are vital: "Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. . . Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity."