The Roles and Wisdom of Chinese Traditional Philosophy in Explaining Corporate leadership

Abstract

Theory development in leadership has been researched in different ways, depending on the researcher’s methodological choices and understanding of leadership. Using an inductive analysis based on this study, the influences of Chinese traditional philosophy on leadership have emerged. Specifically, the themes of the influences are pointed to the following Chinese traditional philosophies: (1) Spiritual- Buddhism; (2) Humanity-Confucianism; (3) Naturalistic-Taoist philosophy; and (4) Strategic- Sun Zi Art of War. The knowledge and evaluated understanding of the Chinese traditional philosophy are embedded in the life experiences of the respondents. Considering the dynamics of corporate leadership practices and the demands of the ever-changing macro, meso and micro environments, situational context as well as the followership, it is important to acknowledge that wisdom or wisdom to act, rather than mere leadership behaviour that would ensure generation of leadership dynamism. Such an acknowledgement could further drive and reinforce and offer a richer view to sustain the wisdom to act derived from Oriental values and philosophy that influence corporate leadership practices for organizational success and performance.