Exploring the Facets of Shared Leadership within the Intricate Frameworks of Chinese Ideologies: A Modern Perspective on Traditional Values

Abstract

Shared leadership as a modern management approach provides the structure and framework for innovational thinking within creative working places. China's swift ascent as one of the foremost global players, coupled with its aspirations to become an innovation leader, makes a reevaluation of traditional organizational structures and leadership paradigms necessary. Research on the application of modern management approaches such as shared leadership, within the context of Chinese culture is notably underrepresented and needs to be further focused on. Using a literature review methodology, this study delves into the book "A Short History of Chinese Philosophy" to check on relevant text passages and aspects derived from various original schools of thought within traditional Chinese ideologies. Subsequently, these aspects are categorized as either pro or con arguments and reinterpreted through the lens of shared leadership readiness. Seven affirmative arguments and seven opposing arguments judge the application of shared leadership ideas embedded in Chinese traditional values and philosophies. Taoism, particularly in its third phase and Neo-Taoism stand as representative examples favoring shared leadership. Conversely, Realistic Confucianism and the Mohist School serve as representatives against the adoption of shared leadership. One limitation of the re-interpretation lies in the potential for misunderstanding the original Chinese traditional values which may not have been intended for application within the context of modern management approaches, potentially resulting in wrong conclusions. Additionally, relying solely on one source to depict the history of Chinese philosophy constitutes another limitation, as it simplifies the complexity of Chinese traditions. Follow-up studies could focus on constructing a robust theoretical framework. Another significant contribution could involve the development of a survey aimed at assessing the extent of influence exerted by the original schools of thought on traditional Chinese individuals.