"Kindness" and "frugality" mentioned by Laozi are excellent virtues handed down from generation to generation by the people of China. Only with compassion can we be brave, and only with thrift can we be broad-minded, but "not daring to be the first in the world" seems to have some negative meanings. Most people think that "not daring to be the first in the world" is a conservative and passive idea without innovation, which represents a stale and backward philosophy of life. It is true only in the sense of words. Laozi's main exposition of "not daring to be the first in the world" is that on the level of "Tao", "the metaphysical is the Tao, and the metaphysical is the device". Judging from Laozi's Taoist thought, "not being the first in the world" and "governing by doing nothing" are in the same strain. The ancients paid attention to safety instead of seeking it. Safety is the foundation, change is the purpose, and change should be changed. How dare people go against the sky and change? The sky here refers to the laws of nature. Therefore, the premise of "not being the first in the world" is to conform to the laws of nature. Immortality is inaction, movement is due to the situation, and everything can be done when the situation is achieved. Therefore, "not being the first in the world" should not violate the inherent scientific laws of things. "Not being the first in the world" also expresses a philosophical thought of sizing up the situation, similar to Confucius' "think twice before you act". "not being the first in the world" also embodies the ancient people's view of nature that nature and society live in harmony. Because ancient times was basically a farming civilization, not destroying nature, and letting farmers live and work in peace and contentment was the essential expression of "not daring to be the first in the world".
After putting forward the above-mentioned "three treasures", Lao Tzu added: "Good people don't use force, good people don't get angry, good people don't admit defeat, and good people use people to do it." This and "not being the first in the world" complement each other. Being able to be the best in the world, not the best in the world, means that everything should be done according to objective laws, think twice before you act, and don't make rash mistakes. "How bold people are, how productive the land will be" and "Man will conquer nature" are the behavioral impulses under the concept of "the first in the world".
In the enterprise organization, Laozi's "three treasures" thought has special significance. The country is developing greatly, the times are advancing greatly, and everything pays attention to innovation. However, it is very necessary to practice "goodness" in management and "frugality" in behavior while innovating, and think twice before you act, rather than the management concept of "the best in the world" that violates objective laws.
Entrepreneurs must have a kind heart. Kindness is the heart of heaven and earth. The so-called heart of heaven and earth includes gratitude, responsibility, feedback, kindness and awe. It requires entrepreneurs and their enterprises to have a heart of feedback and responsibility to society, a heart of awe to nature and a kind heart to employees. Therefore, we should use the concept of "goodness" to manage enterprises, integrate "goodness" into enterprise management, and let enterprises realize the harmonious coexistence of employees, enterprises, society and nature. Laozi's second treasure "frugality" is more meaningful to enterprise management. Thrift is the most important virtue of the Chinese nation. However, the high pursuit of material in contemporary society leads to serious waste of enterprise organizations. Some entrepreneurs are extravagant and extravagant, and extravagance and waste are prevalent. State-owned enterprises, in particular, build luxury buildings, ride luxury cars, eat delicacies, smoke high-grade cigarettes and live in presidential suites. The waste is very serious, and the management expenses increase by several digits every year. I completely forgot the virtue of thrift. Therefore, Lao Tzu's two treasures have more practical significance. It is the best management magic weapon to solve the problem of drifting wind. In addition, "frugality" also means moderation and concealment. It requires entrepreneurs to be diligent as well as frugal. They should not only work quietly to make the enterprise truly stronger and bigger, but also be low-key and humble, not rich and ruthless, and over-publicized.
"Dare to be the first in the world" requires enterprises to assess the situation, think twice before you act, and not to engage in innovation that violates the laws of nature and society. You must have a sense of risk and responsibility before making a decision. Only in this way can enterprises take a road of sustainable development in harmony with society and nature; Only in this way, enterprises can avoid blind investment expansion, leading to enterprises in trouble. Before making a decision, entrepreneurs must have a global concept and use a full-dimensional thinking method, some of which can be the first and some can't be the first.
The author believes that the "three treasures" life thought put forward by Laozi more than two thousand years ago embodies the fine tradition of the Chinese nation and the simple philosophical thought of advocating the harmony between nature and nature. So far, people have given us profound enlightenment. No matter in the past or now, Laozi's "three treasures" philosophy of life is a very important part of enterprise management thought.