A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves

Lao Tzu (also written as Laozi) was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who lived in the 6th century BCE. He is traditionally considered the author of the Tao Te Ching, a fundamental text in Taoism. His name literally means "Old Master," and he is credited as the founder of philosophical Taoism. According to legend, he worked as an archivist in the imperial library of the Zhou Dynasty before departing to the western frontier, where he wrote the Tao Te Ching.

This quote appears in the Tao Te Ching, a classic Chinese text composed of 81 short chapters or verses. This particular quote reflects one of the central concepts in Taoist leadership philosophy: the idea of "wu-wei" (non-action or effortless action). The quote emphasizes the Taoist principle that the most effective leadership is subtle and non-interfering, allowing people to develop and achieve naturally without feeling controlled or manipulated. This approach contrasts with authoritarian leadership styles and suggests that true leadership success comes when people feel they have accomplished things through their own efforts.