What Makes a Great Leader?

Introduction:?

Hello everyone! Today, I’d like to explore a question that has fascinated me for some time: What makes a great leader?

?As someone from China, I’ve noticed that much of the leadership literature I’ve encountered is rooted in Western thought. This led me to wonder: Are there cultural differences in leadership? Specifically, how do Eastern philosophies compare to Western approaches? ?

This curiosity brought me to a very interesting article titled “The Philosophy of Traditional Chinese Leadership” Today, I’d like to share with you three leadership philosophies from ancient China: Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, and explore what we can learn from each.?

1.???? Confucian Leadership: Character and Integrity?

?Let’s begin with Confucianism. At the heart of Confucian leadership is the concept of the “Internal sage, External king.” In other words, a leader must first cultivate their inner self before they can effectively lead others.

Confucianism emphasizes moral integrity, self-improvement, and leading by example. According to this philosophy, good leaders are those who reflect on their actions, manage their emotions, and work toward the greater good. Confucian leadership also embodies a deep sense of responsibility. As Confucius said, “Though I know the task is impossible, I will still undertake it.” This philosophy holds that a leader’s effectiveness is directly tied to their character—a leader’s limitations often define the limitations of their enterprise.?

2.???? Legalist Leadership: Balancing Ideals with Realism?

Next, let’s look at Legalism, which contrasts Confucian idealism with a more pragmatic view of leadership. Legalism recognizes human self-interest and the need for structure and power in governance.?

One Legalist philosopher, Han Feizi, famously noted that, “A cart maker hopes for more wealthy customers, while a coffin maker hopes for more deaths”. It’s not about morality—it’s about understanding human nature.

?As leaders, we need more than just passion. We need to solve problems and face the complexities of the real world. Legalism reminds us that great leadership requires balancing idealism with practicality, and understanding human motivations is key to leading effectively.

?3. Daoist Leadership: Flexibility and Humility?

Finally, we come to Daoism, which emphasizes flexibility and humility in leadership. While Legalism focuses on structure, Daoism advocates for flowing with the natural order of things, adapting when necessary.

?A Daoist philosopher Laozi once said, “The reason rivers and seas can become kings of all valleys is because they are good at placing themselves below them.” True leaders, like rivers, are flexible and humble—they don’t need to dominate but instead find strength in humility.?Similarly, American scholar Jim Collins describes “Level 5 Leaders” as quiet, humble, and not driven by ego—an idea that aligns perfectly with Daoist principles.

?Conclusion:?

So, back to the original question: What makes a truly great leader? According to the philosophies of Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, great leaders are those who combine the self-cultivation and leading by example of Confucianism, the realism and pragmatism of Legalism, and the flexibility and humility of Daoism.

As we navigate our own leadership paths, let’s aim to integrate these philosophies—cultivating our inner selves, understanding the realities of the world, and leading with flexibility and humility. Thank you.

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