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Lessons on Positive Thinking and Leadership from Confucius

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GSTF BUSINESS REVIEW. VOL. I. NO.2. OCTOBER 2011

Lessons on Positive Thinking and Leadership from

Confucius
Prof. Dr. Patrick Kim Cheng !mY
Ph.D. and Chartered Marketer, Certified MBT] Sik-Liong A!!g
Administrator, and Certified Behavioral Consultant! B. Sc. (Hon. London), M Phil. (London), MBA.
Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Associate, University
of South Australia

Abstract: In this paper, spiced with Chinese sayings thinking is more than thinking or the thoughts that one
and proverbs, the authors present and interpret has; it is, in fact, the entire approach to one's life. As
positive thinking lessons derived from the sagely Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the Indian national
wisdom of Confucius. From Confucius comes the leader and philosopher, internationally renowned for
emphasis on positive and harmonious relationships his doctrine of nonviolent protest said, "A man is but
as well as the value of learning that bring many the products of his thoughts; what he thinks, he
benefits including good talent management. The becomes." This is because thoughts drive one to
practice of Confucius teachings can bring much positively achieve one's goal and positive thinking
peace, learning, and growth for the citizens, provides one's mind with positive words and positive
families and the country (the world). images and inspires one towards opportunity, growth,
expansion and success. As a matter of fact, our
Key words: Leadership, Confucius, Confucianism, behaviour can also very much influence the moods of
positive thinking, self-discipline, self-growth, JiinrJ. our surroundings and other people. If we feel positive
in our doings and we do good things to others. This
1 Introduction would definitely affect other people's moods; and
There are not many writings on Confucius and others would become positive like us. Over time,
positive thinking; hence, this paper seeks to highlight people around us would respond to our positivism. As
the master's key writings that portray positive a result, we all become positive and kind; and we all
thinking. Confucius was one of China's most famous become positive and caring in our society. This
teacher, philosopher, and political theorist who lived virtuous cycle can also be illustrated as shown in
in 551 - 479 BC. It should be stressed that because of Figure-I. In other words, if we apply positive thinking
Confucius' positive ideas, the great Ran Dynasty in our doings, we help each other/others - make others
Emperor Wu (156 BC - 87 BC), rejected a hundred of happy, we are happy and the setting become a pleasant
other philosophical schools in favour of Confucius, setting.
thus effectively making China a Confucian state. (Yo,
2010). PosIMsm 01 posIiie ~ taflleaj to a lIlO(e~ ~
t can ~ atat a khj cr vit1IlUScycle
1.1 Positive Thinking
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that would enable
one to look forward for good and favourable results. •••••
One author speaks of being a positive thinker as a

-,
Wea!led otI1eI p!OIlIe'; moods;
person who possesses a personal power plan- filled others become posti;e
with the strategies that enable him (her) to overcome
the fears, anxieties, and.the insecurities that hold him /
(her) back from personal success. (potter, 1994). More
often, a person with a positive mind aims for
happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of
every situation and action. Others may work resiliently
in any adverse condition, hoping that one day their
dreams would eventually come true
In this respect, Confucius once admired his deceased
disciple, Yan Hui who had this virtue of positive On the other hand, a person thinks in a negative way
thinking that he could withstand any difficult would have thoughts of doubts and fear that would
environment when others would find it intolerable. make one to work negatively and most often leads to
Confucius exclaimed, "What a man of virtues Yan Hui failure. Besides, if we feel negative, we may not care
was! Living in a mean alley on homely fare was a about or can be insensitive to others' crying for help.
hardship others would find intolerable, but Yan Hui We would affect other people's mood; and others
was still no less cheerful and would never change his become negative too. People around us would react to
aspirations. Only Yan Hui was able to cultivate such a and be influenced by our negativism and negative
virtue!" (Analects of Confucius, VI: 11).1n this regard, thinking. Over time, we would have the surrounding
we would agree with Low's (2010a) view that positive

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people becoming negative and unkind; and we all (Chin, 2008). The point here is that positively
become negative and we would have no caring in our speaking and for the sake of good talent management,
society. This vicious cycle can be illustrated as shown running a country depends on good or quality people.
in Figure-2. Therefore, ifwe applied negative thinking History tells us that one has to emulate Confucius; be
; we would not help others and we would make others is perceived as positive in his thinking. He would
unhappy or miserable. always make it work: in any adverse situation and
NegaUrism or I1I!gIIM IIHIlg can be wn.. condition(s). He ensured his self-discipline and
lean tnv aIloIt a vi:lluI cydt showed his positive example, refusing to be swayed
by the corrupted officials, hence his resignation.

Self-discipline is positive and it leads to positive way

of life. Confucius promoted rituals; Confucianism
promoted rites to be followed and all these instilled
discipline and self-regulation which is good, it helps to
cultivate self-growth and development. We must
safeguard our mental capacity for judgement, and for
that we cannot take insurance, our insurance company
is within: self-discipline (by, for example, following
the Rectification of Names- a father be a father, a ruler
be a ruler and so on (Analects of Confucius, XIII:3)
and a clear awareness of bad behaviours and anger
(why the rituals are subscribed and done) and the
positive aspects of respect to the elders, kindness and
It can be said that one who thinks positively is an compassion (for example, filial piety, businesses'
optimist and one who thinks negatively is likely to be paying back to community by helping the
a pessimist. Actually it is like half a bottle of wine. A community). If one is truly disciplined, one becomes
pessimist would say, ''What a shame! Such a good positively alert and fully aware, one - more than -
bottle of wine and there's only half left!" while an works out the practices and these rites becomes
optimist would say, "How lovely! Such a good bottle increasingly meaningful, and not mere blind copying
of wine and there's still half left!" The only difference and following. The Dalai Lama (1999: 165) refers to
is their attitudes. In today's fiercely competitive discipline as "a supreme ornament and whether worn
society, it is more important now than at any other by the old, young or middle aged, it gives birth only to
time in history to maintain a positive state of mind happiness ... A peerless ornament, it brings relief from
(Yo, 2010). Winston Churcbill (1874-1965) the hot pains of delusion."
summarised both ways of thinking very well that,
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. Confucianism is overa1l positive; it stresses on human
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty" improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other
(Mills, 1993). people's suffering. It also foster us the discipline to
check: or control ourselves as Confucius reminded his
1.2 Being Self-Disciplined disciple to spend enough time in thinking before
taking action «Analects of Confucius, v: 20) and to
Confucius concentrated on living life positively and grow ourselves and take care of others. We criticize
wished only to be granted a few more years so that, he ourselves for the overall betterment.
said, "when I reach the age of fifty, I may try to
understand the principles of change and I shall be able 2 Being A Good Leader and A Gentleman or Lady
to steer clear of making serious mistakes" (Chin, (.T, Hanyu Pinyin: jiind)
2008: 1). He was always positive and on the move to In Confucianism, the leader is believed to be a chosen
help or render assistance to rulers and others. At the one, mandated by Heaven, and hence should be a good
height of his political career, Confucius suddenly leader, morally responsible to the people. A good
quitted his job as the Minister of Crime in the state of leader should uphold the value of jiinzi. (acting and
Lu at the age of fifty-four and spent 14 years moving behaving as gentleman(1ady). If we are to achieve a
around countries to advise the rulers .According to state of orderliness and peace, we need to return to the
Sima Qian, the historian (four century after traditional concept of virtue. Virtue is thinking and
Confucius), he highlighted that when Confucius was doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong; virtue
given the authority to fulfill his position, he was able is a good quality and way of behaving and is based
to accomplish impressive feats. The state ofLu slowly entirely on the value of jiinzf. Confucius believed that
became prosperous because of his positive way of human nature is naturally good. Therefore, a good
performing his task diligently. However, over time, leader must practice benevolence, 'ren', Being
the ministers slowly got corrupted and when he found benevolent is synonymous with being a jiinzf
out that his hard work and contribution to the country (gentleman or lady). Obviously, being a gentleman, a
were not being appreciated, at a later date, he resigned leader must take care of the interests and needs of all
and moved. Thereafter, the state of Lu collapsed his followers and supporters.

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Confucius said, "A good leader may be compared to today's motivational leadership ways, and Low (2008:
the wind and the common people to the grass. Let the 35 - 36) puts forth as such:
wind blows over the grass and the grass, under the The father leader/small business-owner
force of the wind, cannot but bend." (Confucius cited collaborates with his "family members" in a
in Chew, 2000: 18). 'Talk doesn't cook rice' [or to purposeful team fashion, "rubbing shoulders and
present its meaning in a positive way, action gets doing something together also gives tbe
results] but pro-active, through his examples and opportunity to share. There is joint purpose,
behaviour, a leader thus becomes persuasive, raising sharing the same dreams and bringing the
his influence and gain the trust of his people. relationship to a higher plane. There is also
synergy" (Low 2001: 101; Low, 2005; Low,
Interestingly, the positive leader's best way to up his 2007). Employees' successes are celebrated and
influence is to apply the Golden Rule, the gentleman's with effective team leadership, teamwork is
code of conduct (Low, 2010b; Low and Ang, 2011). fostered and higher performance attained.
In essence, you do onto others what you yourself like, In essence, it seems that this teamwork, or more
and "do not impose to others what you yourself appropriately, consensus-seeking culture may be
dislike" (Zbou, 2005: 4). By doing so, you will not related to loyalty, which is also considered to be a
incur resentment, and win others over. virtue by the Chinese (Bond, 1987, cited in Low,
2002; 2009). Chinese are taught from a young age to
2.1 Relationships Rule be loyal to their family and kin. Hsu (1984) claims,
Relationships are critical; relationships role, and make loyalty to the family will continue to play a critical
life and living easier when people stay connected and role among Chinese. Family is important in any
help. Confucius stresses on the importance of the culture, but it is extraordinarily so in Chinese culture.
family; and in the family unit, the father is the key But more importantly, "relations among family
figure. He must be the role model, a good example to members provide the human basis for the moral
his children. For the son, it is the son's duty to obey virtues of the Chinese" (Nakamura, 1978, cited in
without questioning and honour his father, even after Low, 2002; 2009). Hsu (1984) has identified some of
death. When the father dies, obedience is given to the the significant characteristics of the Chinese family
oldest brother. Confucius states in the Analects, that have a strong impact on Chinese organisations .
••Meng I Tzu asked about the treatment of parents. The The Chinese as a people are special in their
Master said, 'Never disobey! ...While they are alive, relationships with others within their etlmic group
serve them according to ritual. When they die, bury especially for those coming from the same village and
them according to ritual and sacrifice to them those sharing the same surname. They form
according to ritual. ", (Analects of Confucius H: 5). associations to foster strong relationship in looking
after and helping each other and the Cbinese also put a
"Gold in the heart is better than gold in one's purse." strong emphasis on the importance of blood relations,
as a Chinese saying goes. Showing care and concern parental authority as well as filial piety and loyalty.
to his followers, the benevolent Confucian leader is According to Dr. Habrizah Hussin, an expert in
thus like a father to his followers. Besides, the family entrepreneurship and SME (Small and Medium
spirit is often fostered, and to quote Confucius: A true Enterprise) development from Universiti Brunei
gentleman is in harmony, and is friendly with others Darussalam (UBD), more than 50 per cent of
though he does not agree with them ... (Chew, 2000: businesses in Brunei are run by families and that
17). Low's (2oo6a; 2(07) studies indicated that this family owned businesses run by the Chinese are
kind of father leadership has given Singapore a sense mostly passed down to the second and third
of unity and it has that edge; it gets thing done with generations whilst family owned businesses run by the
the leader's good relationship with the people. Malays are less likely to be passed down to the second
Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew (87 generation. She also remarked that different cultural
years old), the father of Singapore, in his recent and business values between the two communities
speech said that, "His original philosophy of enabling playa big part in the lifespan of any family business.
every Singaporean family to strive for his/her own (Hussin, 2010).
home has played an important role in Singapore's
stability and progress. It instils pride in the In Brunei, the family-owned businesses run by the
community, gives national servicemen a reason to Chinese include numerous combinations of teams such
fight for Singapore, and makes for a stable society." as husbands and wives, parents and children, relatives
"Singapore has seen very few riots since the 1960s and their extended families. Some businesses have
because everybody has a borne to protect", he added. been established for quite a long time over three
(Singapore Straits Times, 2011). Obviously, a generations. And this is due to their strong
benevolent leader is always showing care and concern commitments to quality of products and services and
for his followers and that the family spirit is often upholding of their own family name and pride, and
fostered in the society/country at large. also their care and concern for the wellbeing of their
employees are often likened to that of an extended
In this regard, it is also of relevance to the Chinese family. For instance, the Lim Teck Hoo Holdings,
small business leadership situation and! or even in founded by the late Pehin Temenggong Dato Lim

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Teck Hoo, are now managed by a team of his children troubles he has caused, but not forgetting the favors
and. relatives. Even after his demise years ago, his others have done for him, such a leader harbors not
family members continue to expand his business and feelings against his 'enemy', but promotes peace and
also carrying on his legacy of contributing to local love. During an interview with the leader of the Brunei
Chinese education institutions annually. His Chinese Chamber of Commerce who is now sixty-
esta~lished scholarship fund is aimed to help and three years old, he recited to the author a common
provide scholarship to underprivileged students who saying, "lIiZtt*. ffl.I;ttt•. ', hanyu pinyin:
have achieved excellent results in Chinese schools in
;·qu zhi she hui, yang yi she hui" meaning one takes
Brunei Darussalam (Kon, 2(09). This family-owned
benefits from the society, one will pay back to the
business or more specifically, the family factor in
society which coincides with Low's (2006) study. This
business is confirmed to be significant during the
is one of the key motivators that he adopted when he
authors' interview of a young lady entrepreneur
was a young businessman. To date, he would never
(organized by the University MBA International
forget to give/donate to the Brunei community as well
Business class). Holding a director/shareholder
as his neighbouring countries' friends and
position in a corporation (group) consisting of eleven
associations. This, for him, is to foster goodwill and
companies, she explained that the group was run
enhance networking in business. (Ang, 2009).
effectively by her parents, uncles, aunties and cousins.
Based on the description, it is similar in content and
As leaders, when we treat all more justly and with
practices to. what were examined by Low (2006;
love and compassion, the world will perhaps become a
2010), that IS, the value of sense of unity and team
better peaceful place. There can also be more joint
work, being one of the core values of Chinese
work, strategic alliances and cooperation with outside
enterprises in most South East-Asian countries. The
organizations and agencies, both within and cross
young lady entrepreneur commented that one of her
borders.
aun~ was still working well past her retiring age and
that If there was no successor (relatives) to take over
2.2 Respecting Talents and Inspiring FoUowers
the business in the near future regrettably, she would
close down her aunt's business. The authors
"One can easily deal with matters using
interpreted that it is her aunt's positive mindset that
understanding. It's as simple as using sunlight to melt
enable her to work actively past her retiring age and
ice." (Wang, 1993: 24).
that it ~so iJ\u~~tes good partnershiplrelationship.
The Chinese positively depend on family and relatives
In a similar maimer, it is crucial to understand the
more and prefer running family business. (Ang, 2009).
importance of talent management in the conetxt of a
company's operational effectiveness. Low (2010c)
In Singapore, the late Kwek Hong Png, founder and
stressed that 'talent or human capital is the primary
~hairman of the Hong Leong group of companies, for
driver of any successful company, better talents will
mstance, pointed this out when he was expanding his
definitely differentiate higher performance companies
business: Mindful of the old Chinese proverb that
from the rest; and talent management is critical when
when tackling a tiger, one needs the help of one's
it comes to business excellence and success. '
brothers, I invited my brothers to join my firm. (K wek,
Excellent leaders have a good number of good, loyal
1987, cited in Low, 2002; 2(09).
followers or tearns. Such leaders grow their people
and achieve success through the strengths and gifts of
It should be pointed out that on the one hand
their own teams, co-workers and employees. "When
attachment to one's in-grouping as well as too much
recruiting always pay respect to talent, that is the way
inward thinking can lead to much ethnocentrism, bias
to make a country (also read as company or business)
and discrimination. Yet on the other hand, one can
strong and its citizens prosperous. Only the foolish do
also argue from a bigger picture angle where an
otherwise." (Wang, 1993: II, italics ours). Wise
organization of family culture expands and evolves
positive leaders appreciate their people, the human
into 'the organization that value going modem and
capital. A good example of the country that focuses
political stability' (Low 2002, 2009: 305); what the
on talented people is Singapore, a multiracial small
authors are emphasizing here is that successful
country that has no significant natural resources and
organizations do evolve over time and extend out their
the only thing the country has and depends on is the
love, when they also look at all others - even those
highly motivated human capital and deeply rooted
outside their racial, ethnic or religious groupings - as
fatherly leadership (Low, 2006a; 2007; 2009). And
their brothers or sisters.
Singapore is still able to maintain its sustainability and
further business development; this is mainly due to the
[Confucius once says, "A gentleman is always broad-
positive leaders' broad business network externally
minded while a petty man is always full of anxiety."
and internally meritocratic style of management in the
(Analects of Confucius, VII: 37)] In a big-hearted or
organizations, which it is felt, is closely associated
broad-minded (11).t§)J, Hanyu pinyin: xtn with Confucian values. Singapore's success story can
xiong tan dimg") fashion, not keeping in mind the be said:o be dependent on talent workforce working
services he has rendered nor should he forget the harmoniously together to produce and to deliver the
results swiftly and meet the targets on time and within

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budget. This encourages world-wide investors to do close nor too distant, but act morally and justly.
business in Singapore. Morality and justice should be the principles and
standards by which we all conduct ourselves. His
Moreover, setting the example and being humane and calm, warm and practical theory of human relations
compassionate makes the strategic leaders inspiring to suggests that to do as much for the society as one's
their people. They usually keep their troops highly abilities allow is the greatest possible protection of the
motivated and more importantly, their people rights and benefits of all.
enthusiastically carry out their orders. And strategic
leaders lead their organizations in attaining high level If one has an optimistic and positive attitude, and a
performance. Even punishments and decorations or proper understand of the boundaries and limitations of
rewards are carried in strict manner (Chu, 1994: 291). dealings with others, one can become the kind of
Wang (1993: 152) cites one of Feng Menglong, the person who brings happiness to others, and let one's
famous Ming Confucian scholar's masterpiece, that happiness become a source of energy, shinning like
"only with clear commands and strict discipline can an the sun on those around one, bringing comfort to one's
army be trained and ready for war (competition in the family and mends and even, eventually to the whole
present day context). Killing one to teach a hundred is of society. But as jiinzt, one must begin with one's
a necessary thing to do." (italics mine). neighbours and friends. (Yu, 2010).

Low (2008) has highlighted that even in this 2.4 Seizing Opportunities for Learning and
millennium; one haunting reality of the corporate Applying Training and Overall Self-Growth
world is discrimination at workplace. Bias, prejudice "Give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach him
and differentiation treatment rather than actual job- to fISh and you feed for a lifetime." (Chinese proverb)
related basis constitute discrimination.
To paraphrase Winston Churchill's wise words, the
Positively speaking, the strategic leader should be pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity while
global in outloolc, objective and loving. And here, a the positive thinker sees the opportunity in every
return to the old fashioned Confucianism would difficulty faced. Perhaps it is because of this that the
indeed stress on humanism, and love for mankind. The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible
strategic leader should value talent in whatever forms. and achieves the impossible. One shows care and
According to Confucius, "no man is a machine. He concern to the people one relates with.
should not behave heartlessly like one, or as if others
were machines" (Chew, 2000: 5). Besides, detached Confucius said, 'A gentleman blames himself learns
and un-trapped by power, position and wealth, tbe and cares for others, while a common man blames
positive leader steadfastly serves. "A gentleman is others and does not learn and care.' Confucius said,
(also) conscious only in the knowledge of others' 'If a man (lady) would be severe towards him(her)self
comfort; the mean is conscious only of his own and generous towards others, (s)he would never arouse
comfort" (Chew, 2000: 2, italics mine). resentment'" (Lin, 1994: 81, italics ours).

The wise leader is sensitive to the needs of his people A gentleman (lady) learns and loves, showing much
- as real as the tlowers in spring; those made of silk care and compassion. Once one replaces negative
pales in comparison; the latter, artificial, lacks natural thoughts with positive ones, one begins to achieve
beauty. Those who are sincere, loving and wise are results, one sees the world in Technicolor and it's no
naturally faster than the ordinary people in solving the longer in black and white.
problems.
The positive thinking can also be seen in Confucius
2.3 Adopting 'Prosper Thy Neighbour' -When when he was saying that 'it does not matter how
There is 'Big Peace', There is 'Big Prosperity' slowly one goes as long as one does not stop.' One
becomes tough and proceeds when one thinks
Ancient China often had many wars and internal strife. positively.
But the wise Chinese emperor very much avoided
wars and violence. Normally non-violence was One learns and in learning, one keeps on improving.
embraced, and war or violence was seen or deemed
necessary as the last resort. To win without fighting is Positive-minded leaders also adopt, as a rule, taking
better than winning with losses. (Low, 2010). advantage of the situation to render the competition
ineffective. Opportunists are those who know how to
In this regard, Confucius said, "In his dealings with capitalize situations and with this, come the element of
the world, the jiinzl (gentleman) is not invariably for positivity. Even a crisis (this is related to the saying
or against anything. He is on the side as what is earlier mentioned: 'a falI into a ditch, a gain in your
moral." What Confucius meant was that the jiinzl wit') is seen as an opportunity. And whenever the
neither try to force things that would create conflict or competition faces an adverse situation, one should
resistance nor oppose things without a reason. He is seize the opportunity to strike or fight back. A case in
neither too demanding nor too detached, neither too point is that of a 90-years old prominent Bruneian

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businessman, Pehin Kapitan Lau Ah Kok, who meaning is ~1.i~. Hanyu pinyin: ne! fling wai
positively believed that there are always opportunities
yuan directly translated as: (internally square
around in business and he used the Chinese saying,
externally round) or round outside but square inside
"*~~l&. ii~~.? "hanyu pinyin: "sai gong shf meaning a gentleperson (jiinzi.) is outwardly gentle
md .yiin zhffoifu T", meaning obstacles turn out to be but inwardly stem; He is smooth and easy-going in
opportunities for him (Sim, 2000). Wbenever the manners but highly principled and discipline in his
conditions are favorable, one should seize the undertakings. In other words, ajunzlis sociable and
opportunity to strengthen. Generals are warriors, and gets on well with others. However, nothing can
soldiers are courageous. Soldiers fight well when they undermine his inner dignity; he is never competitive
have high morale; in the same way, company with those around him. Neither would he ever form
executives should find ways to boost the employees' cliques or scheme for personal advantage. A positive
morale. Wben the employees' morale and fighting thinking junzf is grounded in the nature of reality and
spirit is strong, they should advance to fight the he also knows that this same reality is his own nature.
competition (Low, 2010). He has an independent, truly calm, steady, down-to-
earth mind and heart that can avoid being swayed by
Get better, or get beaten! Training 'little dragons' or the rises and falls, gains and losses of life.
soldiers for battle are essential (Low, 2010). Likewise, In sum, the characteristics of a positive and self-
training employees in today's ever-changing world is discipline junzi. (~T, Gentleman or lady) can be
critical. Untrained troops, like untrained employees,
illustrated as shown in Figure 3.
will only yield casualties, and allow the competition to
take advantage of the company's situation. As
Confucius stressed on the importance of learning and
teaching others by constantly reminding himself if he
had reflected on what he had learnt, if he had always
been working hard and never tired of learning and if
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c.ptaI
•••••
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he had pass on his knowledge to others (Analects of _0' •.•.••• CIoOeofu!' CI>nwIt<d
MInd
Confucius, Vil: 2).

The above, if subscribed, is positive, equivalent to one

of Jack Welch's leadership secrets, more specifically,
leadership secret number seventeen - that is, to Adapdllf'ProopH TIIy -naO!JpottUfIitios.
"provide an atmosphere where people can have the NeI~ WnI ••••• ~TtIIItlI\I
1\rt_,.~1IIIy _!IverIII Growth
resources to grow, the educational tools are available Ncnlt_
one" •••••••Kte90n "'-
and they can expand their horizons" (Welch, cited in !IriftJ"w>_t.CoD"",oOthen
Opda•••• _AtIitudoTo ••"""
~OM·,_ •.•.
Slater, 1994: 50) as well as capitalizing opportunities
for both individual and organizational growth.

2.S Being Sociable and Still Conscious of One's

OwoDignity 3 Concludip~ Remarks
A student, Zigong once asked Confucius, "Wbat do Confucius with his positive thinking never intended
you think of the saying; Poor without being his teachings to be written down. Nevertheless his
obsequious, wealthy without being arrogant?" disciples transcribed them and made them to be known
Confucius told him that this is pretty good but there is as the "Analects of Confucius" that came to form the
another higher state of positive thinking and that is, basis of Chinese culture for thousands of years. With
"Poor yet delighting in the Way, wealthy yet his wisdom and guidance, he conveyed an inspiring
observant of the rites." The higher state requires that and important message to us that as a gentleperson
one must not only accept poverty peaceably, and not (junzi), of whatever status or station in life, a person,
go crawling and begging for favours, but with positive of the right mind and heart and with all sincerity and
thinking, one must also be possessed of a calm, clear honesty. should perform one's function - through
inner happiness, the kind of happiness that cannot be continuous learning, self-cultivation and the practice
taken away by a life of poverty. Similarly, one with of humanism - and realizes one's potential. And that
power and riches must not be haughty or self is the positive aspect of (leading and) living.
indulgent, one must be refined and courteous, with a
cheerful and contented mind. (Yu, 2010). References

Confucius said, "The junzr is conscious of his own Ang, S. L. (2009). Motivation of Retirees amongst the
dignity without being contentious, and comes together Chinese Community in Negara Brunei Darussalam,
with other jUnzr. without forming cliques. He keeps MBA Research Project, Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
harmonious relationship with others by observing the
rites in his behaviour and speaks with modesty and Chai S.C.; Lai P and Sia Y.H. (1994), Analects of
acts with sincerity." (Analects of Confucius xv: 18. Confucius, Sinolingua, Beijng, China. Translated
22) Another Confucian saying that has the similar

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from .~UIJ
.• ~. I3i~ (1994) am (Analects
Low, K. C. P. (2009). National culture and values -
of Confucius), ¥Bfl.WI'ilitl:. ~1;:6I:. I'j:lll. Perceptions of the corporate leaders of cooperatives
in Singapore, VDM-Verlag: Germany.
Chew, K. H., P. (2000). A gentleman's code, Graham
Brash (pte) Ltd: Singapore. Low, K. C. P. (2008).'VaJue-based leadership:
Leading, the Confucian way', Leadership and
Chin, A. (2008). Confucius, A Life of Thought and Organizational Management journal, Volume 2008
Politics, Yale University Press, New Haven and Issue 3, pp. 32 - 41.
London.
Low, K. C. P. (2007). 'Father Leadership And Small
Chu, C. N. (1994). Thick face, black heart, Business Business Management: The Singapore case study',
Plus. December 2006-February 2007, i-manager's Journal
on management, www.imanagerindiacom, pp. 5 - 13.
Dalai Lama (1999).The path to tranquillity, daily
wisdom, The Penguin Group: USA. Low, K. C. P. (2006).' Motivation, the Chinese
leadership way in Singapore's small and medium
de Smedt, M. (00.) (1995). Sun Tzu, The art of war, companies', The ICFAI Journal of Organisation
Abbeville Press Publishers: Hong Kong. Behaviour, Vol. V No.1, January 2006.

Hussin, H. (2010). Chinese More Likely To Pass Low, K. C. P. (2006a). 'Father leadership: the
Down Family Business To The Next Generation. a Singapore case study.' Management Decision, Vol. 44
half day workshop on, ''Leading and Managing No. I, 2006, pp. 89-104.
Family-Owned Enterprises" reported by Boneo
Bulletin dated 23 July 2010. Low, K. C. P. (2005). 'Towards a framework and
typologies of Singapore corporate cultures'
Hsu, P. S. C. (1984). Unpublished paper, The Management development journal of Singapore, Vol.
influence of structure and values on business 13, No. I, May 2005, pp. 46 - 75.
organisations in oriental cultures: A comparison of
China and Japan, School of Management, National Low, K. C. P. (2002). Corporate culture and
University of Singapore, Singapore - June. values: Perception of corporate leaders of co-
operatives in Singapore, Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis,
Kon, J. (2009). Lim Teck Hoo Holdings donates the University of South Australia, Adelaide.
$52,000 to Chinese schools, Associations. Borneo
Bulletin dated 4. Nov 2009. Low, K. C. P. (2001). The power of relationships,
BusinesscrAfTTM Consultancy, Singapore.
Lin Y. (1994). The wisdom of Confucius, The Modern
Library: New York. Low, K. C. P. and Ang, S. L. (forthcoming). Altruistic
Corporate Social Responsibility, S.O. Idowu (Ed.),
Low, K. C. P. and Ang, S. L. (2011), Confucian Ethics Encyclopaedia of Corporate Social Responsibility,
And The Stakeholder Theory In Business, iManager's Springer.
Jounal Of Management, Vol.5, No.4 March-May
2011, pp. 8-20. Low, K. C. P. and Robertson, R. (2006). 'Not For
bread alone- Motivation Among hospital employees in
Low, K. C. P. (2010). 'Applying strategic leadership. Singapore', Public Organisation Review, 6: pp.155-
the way of the Dragon: e-Leader Conference, Chinese 166.
American Scholar's Association, CASA, 4-6 January
2010, Singapore. Mills, H. (1993). Be Positive, Published by Business
Library.
Low, K. C. P. (2010a). 'Buddha, Buddhism And
Positive Thinking - The Way Forward In Our Lives', Potter, A. (1994). The Positive Thinker, Self-
Insights to a Changing World, Volume 2010 Issue 3, Motivating Strategies For Personal Success, Berkley,
pp. 115 - 124. USA.

Low, K. C. P. (20 lOb). 'Applying Soft Power, the Sim, J. S. (2000). Hua Ho, taking root in Brunei; The
Confucian Way', Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Lou Gim Kok Story, Mentor Publishing Sdn Bhd,
Journal, Volume 2010 Issue 4, pp.37 - 46. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Low, K. C. P. (201Oc). 'Talent Management, the Singapore Straits Times (2011). 'Tanjong Pagar to get
Confucian Way' Leadership and Organizational a fucelift, MM Lee unveils 5-year masterplan for area,
Management Journal, Volume 2010 Issue 3, pp. 28 - promising slew of enhancements' dated 20 March
37. 2011, Singapore.

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Slater, R. (1994). Get better or get beaten! 31

leadership secrets from GE's Jack Welch, Irwin, Inc.:
USA..

Wang, X. M. (translator: Leong Weng Kam) (1993).

Mastering the art of leadership - Gems of Chinese
wisdom, Asiapac: Singapore.

Yu, D. (2010). Confucius from the Hearl, Ancient

WISdom for Today's World (Translator: Ester
Tyldesley), Pan Books, London.
Sik Liong Ang, B. Sc. (Hon. London), M. Phil.
Zhou, K. J. (2005). A basic Confucius (1". edition), (London), MBA has more than 30 years of experience
Long River Press: China. in Petroleum Engineering and Chemistry, Education
and Chinese Culture. In business, he had some good
experience in transforming and reorganising a
company unit into an effective and efficient outfit
toward a Quality Management System. He had also a
sound knowledge of contract management and
ABOUT THE AUTHORS leadership training. Ang, an executive Ph.D.
candidate, is currently pursuing his Ph.D. programme
on Confucian Leadership and Management and he is
also a research assistant for e-Government research
grant project at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

Prof. Dr. Patrick Kim Cbeng Low, Ph.D. (South

Australia), Chartered Marketer, Certified MBTI
Administrator, and Certified Behavioral Consultant
(IML, USA), brings with him more than 21 years of
combined experience from sectors as diverse as the
electronics, civil service, academia, banking, human
resource development and consulting. The once
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Business, the
University of Malaya (Jan to Feb 2007), Prof. Dr.
Low was the Deputy Dean, Postgraduate Studies and
Research (2009), teaching in Universiti Brunei
Darussalam. He teaches the graduate students! MEA
in Organizational Behavior, Managing Negotiations,
Leadership and Change Management, and the
undergraduates in Leadership Basics, Challenging
Leadership, Business and Society, Issues in
Organizational Leadership, Organization Analysis
and Design; and Organization Development and
Change. The former Associate Dean, Director of
Career Services and Chair of the Management and
Marketing Department of a University in Kazakhstan
(2004 to 2006) focuses on human resource
management and behavioraJ skills training covering
areas like negotiation! influencing, leadership and
behavioral modification. He can be contacted at
patrick [email protected].

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