Tao Te Ching, Chapter 17

Translation

17. 1. In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they feared them; in the next they despised them. Thus it was that when faith (in the Tao) was deficient (in the rulers) a want of faith in them ensued (in the people).

2. How irresolute did those (earliest rulers) appear, showing (by their reticence) the importance which they set upon their words! Their work was done and their undertakings were successful, while the people all said, 'We are as we are, of ourselves!'

Practical Reading

The best leadership goes unnoticed. When people say 'we did it ourselves,' the leader succeeded. Good management enables autonomy rather than dependency. Great bosses make themselves unnecessary over time.