Tao Te Ching and Wuwei Management

Chapter 74 6 "Retiring after success, the way of heaven" draws a perfect end to business career
The purpose of ending is to start over.

Gong then retreated, the way of heaven. —— "Tao Te Ching" Chapter 9
When it comes to "retiring after success", people can easily think of such familiar ancient names as Fan Li, Zhang Liang, and Liu Bowen.Next, I will think of "When the birds are gone, the good bow will be hidden; if the cunning rabbit is dead, the lackey will cook." This idiom has been circulating for 2000 years. The term "retire after success" reminds Chinese people of the treacherous emperor's mind and the survival philosophy of protecting one's life wisely.For modern entrepreneurs, "retiring after success" has another meaning. It not only means withdrawing from the business world, but also means a new starting point in life after a magnificent turn.

Bill Gates is of course the best example. A report by China Daily in 2006 detailed the story of the world's richest man before and after his retirement.

In 1975, a young man named Bill Gates founded Microsoft with his partners. For more than 30 years, Gates has led this software company to expand the empire's territory step by step with technology, changing and affecting the entire world.Today, Gates, who has been in charge of Microsoft for 31 years, has finally made the decision to "retire to the mountains" --- he will gradually withdraw from the company's daily management, and instead devote himself to philanthropy.It would mean the end of an era for Microsoft, but it would mean the addition of a full-time philanthropist worth $500 billion to the world.

On June 6, Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates announced that he would gradually hand over his day-to-day work in order to devote more time to the philanthropic work of the "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" .In order to ensure a smooth and orderly transition, Gates said that the transition period will be two years. After July 15, Gates will give up all daily management work and only retain the post of chairman.

Gates issued a statement on the same day saying that it was a difficult decision for him to step out of Microsoft's daily affairs, but he has the same passion for philanthropy and believes that this is also a very important and challenging career.Gates said that although he is prepared to step away from the day-to-day affairs of Microsoft, he firmly believes that the future of the company will be as bright as ever.

Gates stepped down as CEO of Microsoft six years ago, handing over to Steve Ballmer.But this time, he seemed to really be leaving.

Currently, Microsoft is at a critical moment in the face of fierce competition.But Gates believes that new competitors and challenges facing the company will not affect his decision. "In the history of Microsoft, there has never been a calm moment."Gates also has confidence in Ballmer, who served as CEO for six years, calling him "one of the greatest partners in history."Former Microsoft vice president Sam?Jadala revealed that Gates once planned to leave Microsoft at the age of 6, but now he has decided to "close the mountain" 60 years in advance. One of the important reasons may be that he has found a suitable successor.

However, Gates also emphasized that even if he does not participate in day-to-day management, he will play a role in the company's future development.He stated that he would not give up his status as the company's largest shareholder: "This is my pride." According to statistics, as of September 2005, 9, Gates owned at least 9 billion shares of Microsoft, accounting for 10% of the issued shares.

Ballmer, the current CEO of Microsoft, admitted in an interview that Gates is irreplaceable. "Is anyone else going to be Bill Gates? I don't think that's a realistic assumption."

Gates' retirement plan was announced after the stock market closed that day.From the perspective of after-hours trading, Microsoft's stock price has not been greatly impacted, only slightly falling by 0.09 US dollars to 21.98 US dollars.For Microsoft, Gates' departure is more of a spiritual shock, because "he is not just an executive, he is an extension of the Microsoft brand."

After leaving Gates, Microsoft will continue to develop, and after leaving Microsoft, Gates will also find a new world.Gates said in a statement: "With great wealth comes great responsibility. Now is the time to give these resources back to society, and helping people in need is the best way to give back to society."

According to the 2006 estimate of the US "Forbes" magazine, Gates' personal net worth is close to 500 billion US dollars, and he has been the richest man in the world for 12 consecutive years.The "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" he founded in the name of himself and his wife has a fund of 291 billion U.S. dollars. The gross national product of the country is even more.Gates said: "Just as I never imagined that Microsoft could have the scale it is today, I also did not expect that the philanthropic foundation could do so much."

However, Gates was not so generous at the beginning of his wealth. After the success of the Microsoft he founded, letters asking for donations came like a snowflake, and his parents also asked him to do charity work, but Gates ignored him. At that time, he thought: "I have a company to manage. The best thing I can do for society is to make this business a success." Until the autumn of 1993, a trip to Africa prompted Gates to undergo a fundamental change, and the extreme poverty of the local people shocked him. Gates' mind.He set up a foundation with $9400 million at the suggestion of his father Gates Sr.

In recent years, Gates has devoted about 20 percent of his time to the foundation's work.After 2008, he will be fully engaged in charity, helping those who are struggling with AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and hunger.

Gates has said that all of his wealth will be donated, not left to his three children. "I'm just the custodian of this wealth and I need to find the best way to use it."

Like Bill Gates, a wise manager must know where he is, do what he should do, and not expect anything beyond his position.As a leader, the highest state is nothing more than when you are successful and famous.Turning around in time and doing what you want to do more will make your life more complete and your life more colorful.

(End of this chapter)