--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The well-run group is not a battlefield…" description: "\"The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg" --- # The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos. ![“The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg) > “The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective leadership minimizes ego clashes, focusing on harmony and purpose. **In simple terms:** Lead without ego battles. Key Takeaway Lead with humility and shared vision. Themes leadership humility team dynamics Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - corporate management - non‑profit boards - sports teams - creative collaborations Key Concepts Taoism non-competition collective purpose Questions to Reflect On - How can you keep personal ego in check while leading? - What structures reduce ego‑driven conflict? A Different Perspective Ego can still surface despite best intentions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battlefields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battlefields/) [Ego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ego/) [Egos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egos/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [ “I'm a nothing person. I don't affiliate myself with any kind of label \[..\] The truly stalwart don't run with a group. Being alone… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wataru-watari/i-m-a-nothing-person-i-don-t-affiliate-myself-with-any-kind-of-label/) [Wataru Watari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wataru-watari/) > [The thing I'm afraid of the most with the 800m is injuries. That's why I don't normally like to run in a group: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caster-semenya/the-thing-i-m-afraid-of-the-most-with-the-800m-is-injuries-that-s-why/) [Caster Semenya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caster-semenya/) > [Normally, I would run with a group of guys in my camps. A couple of days before the fight, I would run by myself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugar-ray-leonard/normally-i-would-run-with-a-group-of-guys-in-my-camps-a-couple-of/) [Sugar Ray Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugar-ray-leonard/) > [The biggest way I stay motivated is to run with a group of friends. Sometimes it's hard to get going by yourself, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allyson-felix/the-biggest-way-i-stay-motivated-is-to-run-with-a-group-of-friends/) [Allyson Felix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allyson-felix/) > [Get your egos off the battlefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-sheen/get-your-egos-off-the-battlefield/) [Charlie Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-sheen/) > [The ego is entranced by ... names and ideas... However names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-ego-is-entranced-by-names-and-ideas-however-names-and-concepts/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“Because it's indeed difficult to portray, in any meaningful depth, another being, his appearance, speech, mentality, without to some degree, and often for quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/truman-capote/because-it-s-indeed-difficult-to-portray-in-any-meaningful-depth/) [truman capote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/truman-capote/) > [“Science is full of egos and arrogance, but it is fuller of simple moments of pleasure at the joy of finding some gem of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-dunn/science-is-full-of-egos-and-arrogance-but-it-is-fuller-of-simple/) [Rob Dunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-dunn/) > [The truth is that while men, in our society, are encouraged to have strong egos and to function in competitive, aggressive, intellectualized modes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starhawk/the-truth-is-that-while-men-in-our-society-are-encouraged-to-have/) [Starhawk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starhawk/) > [I'm just trying to rid the world of all these fevered egos that are tainting our collective unconscious...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-m-just-trying-to-rid-the-world-of-all-these-fevered-egos-that-are/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I think maybe Mr. Sinise and Mr. Bacon have slightly bigger egos than I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-roberts/i-think-maybe-mr-sinise-and-mr-bacon-have-slightly-bigger-egos-than-i/) [Eric Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-roberts/) > [People expect not just songwriters but all personalities to pontificate about their egos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-mccombs/people-expect-not-just-songwriters-but-all-personalities-to/) [Cass McCombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-mccombs/) > [“Men tend to think all of their points were good, and they sure as hell didn’t need me to boost their already inflated egos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-rain/men-tend-to-think-all-of-their-points-were-good-and-they-sure-as-hell/) [J.R. Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-rain/) > [You've noticed a change huh ? She doesn't text you as often . She never calls you anymore . When she does text you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delaney-ridnour/you-ve-noticed-a-change-huh-she-doesn-t-text-you-as-often-she-never/) [Delaney Ridnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delaney-ridnour/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Battlefields quotes > [Talented people can predict with great accuracy what's about to happen just a tiny bit ahead of their competitors. It might be two seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-maney/talented-people-can-predict-with-great-accuracy-what-s-about-to/) [Kevin Maney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-maney/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Men grow old quickly on the battlefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/men-grow-old-quickly-on-the-battlefield/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [We have won an armistice on a single battlefield, not peace in our world. We may not now relax our guard nor cease our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/we-have-won-an-armistice-on-a-single-battlefield-not-peace-in-our/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [Madaming is the sort of thing that happens to you - like getting a battlefield commission or becoming the dean of women at Stanford…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-stanford/madaming-is-the-sort-of-thing-that-happens-to-you-like-getting-a/) [Sally Stanford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-stanford/) > [It is unfortunate when final decisions are made by chieftains headquartered miles away from the front, where they can only guess at conditions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/attila-the-hun/it-is-unfortunate-when-final-decisions-are-made-by-chieftains/) [Attila the Hun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/attila-the-hun/) > [There are courageous and honest men enough in both sections to fight. There is no question of courage involved. The people of both sections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/there-are-courageous-and-honest-men-enough-in-both-sections-to-fight/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/energy-will-be-the-immediate-test-of-our-ability-to-unite-this-nation/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [The women has her own battlefield with every child she brings into the world she fights a battle for the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-women-has-her-own-battlefield-with-every-child-she-brings-into/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [What's always got me is the fact that when people talked on the telly about Iraq, before Afghanistan kicked off, you'd get only these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-kemp/what-s-always-got-me-is-the-fact-that-when-people-talked-on-the-telly/) [Ross Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-kemp/) > [I was in the midst of it all - saw war where war is worst - not on the battlefields, no - in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/i-was-in-the-midst-of-it-all-saw-war-where-war-is-worst-not-on-the/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [A dance performance is rather like going out into a battlefield. You have to hold the attention of as many as five to 10,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yamini-krishnamurthy/a-dance-performance-is-rather-like-going-out-into-a-battlefield-you/) Yamini Krishnamurthy > [ \[President Johnson\] had the political will to say that having one in five Americans living in the kind of abject conditions their fellow citizens… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/president-johnson-had-the-political-will-to-say-that-having-one-in/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [ \[on L. Ron Hubbard\] I'm not in favor of his religion by any means. But he wrote a book called 'Battlefield Earth' that was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/on-l-ron-hubbard-i-m-not-in-favor-of-his-religion-by-any-means-but-he/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Digiphrenia - how technology lets us be in more than one place - and self - at the same time. Drone pilots suffer more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-rushkoff/digiphrenia-how-technology-lets-us-be-in-more-than-one-place-and-self/) [Douglas Rushkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-rushkoff/) [Browse all 231 Battlefields quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battlefields/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield-of-egos/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Battlefields" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield-of-egos/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bd/laozi-147_battlefields_the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield_634538.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The well-run group is not a battlefield of egos.” — Laozi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The well-run group is not a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield-of-egos/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-well-run-group-is-not-a-battlefield-of-egos/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```