The Tao of Leadership

Harmonizing Technological Innovation and Human Creativity in the AI Era

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Pub Date Jan 28 2025 | Archive Date Jan 28 2025

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Description

In The Tao of Leadership, renowned media ecologist Jack Myers reveals the key to thriving in an AI-driven business world. This groundbreaking book blends ancient Eastern philosophy with modern technological insights, offering a revolutionary approach to leadership in the digital age.

As artificial intelligence transforms industries, leaders must adapt to unprecedented challenges. How can organizations leverage AI’s potential while maintaining the irreplaceable human touch? With five decades of experience advising global corporations, Myers provides a visionary roadmap and ‘how-to’ guidance for leadership in the era of machine intelligence.

Key insights include:

  • Implement the innovative FusionFlow Process to balance rapid innovation with organizational stability.
  • Break down silos and foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.
  • Navigate ethical challenges posed by AI and machine intelligence.
  • Cultivate emotional intelligence and empathy in a tech-dominated world.
  • Learn the qualities that define a Harmonious Leader and gain the management skills required as machine intelligence dominates organizational transformation.
  • Apply the five core principles of Tao leadership: Harmony, Flexibility, Balance, Simplicity, and Integrity.


The Tao of Leadership is packed with practical strategies and real-world case studies, illustrating how forward-thinking companies and leaders are already staying ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this book equips you with the tools to create resilient, innovative organizations and teams ready to thrive in 2050 and beyond.

Don’t just survive the AI revolution―thrive in it. Embrace The Tao of Leadership and unlock your organization’s full potential in the age of artificial intelligence.

In The Tao of Leadership, renowned media ecologist Jack Myers reveals the key to thriving in an AI-driven business world. This groundbreaking book blends ancient Eastern philosophy with modern...


Advance Praise

“In The Tao of Leadership, Jack Myers offers a wide variety of concrete, implementable strategies that leaders can use to adapt their business practices and ensure that they are attuned with the needs of their workforce and the shifts in their markets in the age of AI and increased economic automation. Brimming with anecdotes and brief case studies, this book can provide a valuable desk reference in times of increasing complexity.”

― James Hodson

CEO, AI for Good Foundation


"The Tao of Leadership is an essential guide for navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and innovation with a human-centered approach. Jack Myers masterfully blends ancient wisdom with modern leadership strategies, offering profound insights for leaders facing the challenges of AI and digital transformation. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to lead with empathy, creativity, and vision in the age of machine intelligence."

― Shelly Palmer

Professor of Advanced Media, S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University


“This book is a guide on how to balance, unite, and integrate the unstoppable tsunami of change driven by technology and the core humanity and wisdom that never changes across the ages: a fusion that will help every individual, leader, and firm forge their future.”

― Rishad Tobaccowala

Author of Rethinking Work; Former Chief Strategist, Publicis Groupe


"In The Tao of Leadership, Jack Myers provides an essential guide for leaders navigating the intricate intersection of technology and humanity. His insights on embracing creativity and empathy in the AI era resonate deeply with today’s forward-thinking executives, urging us to lead with vision, courage, and compassion. This book is a blueprint for harnessing innovation while championing the human spirit.”

― Kay Koplovitz

Cofounder and Chairman, Springboard Enterprises


“With The Tao of Leadership, Jack Myers offers leaders a heartfelt and essential guide to harmonizing human values with technological advancements. You’ll see your leadership challenges reflected in these pages, with solutions grounded in empathy and integrity. And you’ll receive the courage to implement and pursue these challenges with optimism.”

― Deborah Wahl

Former SVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors; Forbes Hall of Fame Marketer


“Jack Myers’s The Tao of Leadership offers a powerful vision for future leaders, where technological innovation and human creativity harmonize to drive societal progress. We have long understood the importance of integrating cutting-edge technology with social responsibility and leadership in the academy. This book serves as an inspiring blueprint for educators and leaders alike, encouraging us to embrace empathy and ingenuity as guiding forces in shaping a more inclusive and innovative world.”

― Gracie Lawson-Borders, PhD

Professor and Dean Emerita, Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University


“Jack Myers's The Tao of Leadership resonates deeply with its profound insights on leading with empathy and creativity amidst technological advancements. It serves as a compelling call to action for leaders in all sectors, emphasizing the significance of human ingenuity, inclusion, and belonging as key drivers of success. Myers's perspective provides a roadmap for integrating innovation with the human spirit, a crucial aspect in today's landscape. A must-read for those seeking to navigate the evolving realm of leadership in the era of AI.”

― Aaron Walton

Founder and CEO, Walton / Isaacson (WI)

“In The Tao of Leadership, Jack Myers offers a wide variety of concrete, implementable strategies that leaders can use to adapt their business practices and ensure that they are attuned with the...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9798891881716
PRICE $34.99 (USD)
PAGES 280

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Average rating from 11 members


Featured Reviews

This book offers insightful and practical leadership advice that’s both relatable and actionable. Through real-world examples and thought-provoking strategies, it delves into what it means to inspire, motivate, and guide others effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, this book provides valuable tools to help you build trust, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful results.

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In The Tao of Leadership, Jack Myers invites readers on an inspiring journey that bridges the wisdom of ancient Eastern philosophy with the cutting-edge realities of AI-driven business. With over five decades of experience guiding global organizations, Myers delivers a powerful and practical roadmap for leaders ready to embrace the future without losing the human touch.

This book offers more than strategies—it’s a blueprint for thriving in a world where technology is transforming the way we work, think, and lead. Myers introduces the FusionFlow Process, an innovative approach to balancing rapid innovation with stability, and shares key insights on breaking down silos, fostering adaptability, and leading with emotional intelligence in a tech-centric world.

What truly shines is Myers’s heart-centered approach to leadership. His emphasis on empathy, inclusion, and ethical decision-making feels like a breath of fresh air in a rapidly changing landscape. By weaving real-world case studies with actionable principles like Harmony, Flexibility, and Integrity, Myers makes it clear that great leadership is as much about human connection as it is about innovation.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or just beginning your leadership journey, The Tao of Leadership is an empowering guide that equips you to lead with courage, creativity, and compassion in an age of unprecedented transformation.

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Jack Myers deserves a standing ovation for THE TAO OF LEADERSHIP. For bringing the best of who and what we are as humans in a sane, grounded, and ultimately calming way for a person daunted and terrified by the future that seems to be heading our way. I felt my shoulders drop, my breath slow, and my interest surge throughout this wonderfully written, wise, and smart guide to creating, leading, and thriving in our ever-changing world. Thought-provoking, inspirational, and well-done! I can now take advantage of the potential with more information and perspective from a deep thinker who can write clearly for us tech-competent, but nowhere near adept. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

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There are a lot of books on leadership and most contemporary ones ground themselves around the key concepts of being a servant leader, having the willingness to and developing the muscle to shift one's position based upon new information, having a team that feels safe expressing radical candor, surrounding oneself with those who have different and opposing ideas and experiences, and acting with integrity and confidence. Different authors have presented these ideals through their lenses and perspectives.

The author presents his ideas through the lens of Taoism. The core principles of Taoism are introduced early and then liberally sprinkled throughout the book. The core principles of Harmony, Innovative thinking, Intelligence, Resilience and Integrity are mapped to the modern world's tools and techniques. Though there are straightforward applicants of some of Taoism's metaphors - harmony and integrity, for example, others felt like a bit of a reach to me. I had trouble mapping machine intelligence as a complement to empathy. Machine intelligence is a great tool to distill wisdom from disparate data sets but human empathy remains elusive to these tools. An idea whose time hasn't yet arrived.

I also felt the Myers blueprint is a consultative add-on for sale/consulting and didn't need to be as prominent in the book's thesis and analysis.

I particularly liked the author's inclusion of books that explore these topics including leading titles such as The Infinite Game and Radical Candor. I remain suspicious of the books on AI as being truly relevant today.

A great book, in my opinoin, for students of Taoism. Modern MBA students might roll their eyes.

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This book blends timeless wisdom from ancient Eastern philosophy with the transformative power of modern technology, offering a refreshing and insightful approach to leadership in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to reshape industries and redefine traditional business models, Myers provides a roadmap for leaders looking to not only survive but thrive in this rapidly evolving environment.
Drawing from his impressive five decades of experience, Myers introduces the FusionFlow Process, a strategic framework designed to help organizations balance innovation with stability. This, along with other actionable insights like fostering adaptability and ethical leadership, positions The Tao of Leadership as an essential read for any executive navigating the complexities of the digital age.
One of the book's standout features is its emphasis on emotional intelligence, empathy, and the importance of maintaining a human touch in an AI-driven world. Myers skillfully demonstrates how leaders can cultivate the qualities of a "Harmonious Leader" and incorporate the five core principles of Tao leadership—Harmony, Flexibility, Balance, Simplicity, and Integrity—into their management style.
What truly sets this book apart is its real-world applicability. Through a series of case studies, Myers showcases how forward-thinking companies are leveraging AI to stay ahead of the curve while maintaining a strong organizational culture. These practical examples make it clear that the principles in The Tao of Leadership aren’t just theoretical, but proven strategies that can lead to tangible success.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a rising star in the business world, The Tao of Leadership offers valuable tools to help you create resilient, innovative teams ready for the challenges of 2050 and beyond. With its compelling blend of ancient philosophy and modern business strategy, this book is a must-read for anyone eager to lead with purpose and adaptability in an AI-driven future.
Embrace the wisdom of The Tao of Leadership and unlock your organization’s full potential in the age of artificial intelligence.

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There is much more to loeadership than many of the points people make it to be. This book is excellent about giving the cost of true leadership as something everyone needs, the Tao.

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Some reflections on a recent book I've read - The Tao of Leadership by Jack Myers

This was not something I would normally read but as I settled into the book, I was drawn by how he pulled together the reality of rapidly changing technology (particularly AI) with the need to make sure the "soft skills" of business are not left out. Mr. Myers does a really good job of laying out the intricacies of what AI can and cannot do, while at the same time identifying where we have been and how we can look at the past to help us prepare for the future.

By focusing on Tao and the understanding of balance, Mr. Myers helps guide us through the complexities of life with generative AI and what that might look like and what it could look like.

It definitely gave me a lot to think about in my own career (I'm a pastor) and how Christians and the church can navigate a future with AI.

Well done!

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I was really excited to read this book however, I eventually had to DNF partway through. While I feel this would be a great and useful resource for some, it just wasn’t for me. What I thought was going to be an interesting and informative resource was instead, boring and hard to embrace. I found myself wondering why I had even wanted to read it. The content and the writing style were not what I wanted/needed. Althought this particular book was a miss for me, I think that there is a perfect audience simply waiting to find it.

This book is being voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and Jack Myers.

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Myers does a very good job of making the complicated accessible. It introduces past practices and brings them into a modern day society. Myers offers insightful strategies that not only world leaders may use but also those int the work force. The many anecdotes and case studies allowed me to go down many rabbit holes. It was a very interesting read. I would recommend if you are fairly new to AI but also if you want to gain further understanding of the AI world. I did like the different areas that Myers covered, and it included many different points that I feel passionate about such as sustainability and the future of the workforce, both which are incredibly important with the productivity and health of the world. I look forward to reading more of Myers’ work.

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Informative with significant case study, practical on applying intergration between technology and humanity. Jack Meyers brings us the new way of living business in new millenium, while A.I is going to dominate all aspects. How to utilize the modern, keep integrity but innovation, applying new knowledge into current system and run it more effectively. Leadership is Tao and Tao in Leadership, if anyone who can get through this Tao, everything will be easier in all kinds of business and working places. "The Tao of Leadership" is an amazing book for all leaders to read once in life.

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