Three dishes from MBA Leadership ‘Private Kitchen’

Apr 13-2015   

Three courses from BiMBA’s ‘private kitchen’ – students were treated to a feast for the soul, bringing together Chinese and Western concepts by three charismatic leadership professors: “Leadership in Traditional Chinese Culture”, “International Leadership” and “Organizational Behavior”.

Course One: “ Leadership in Traditional Chinese Culture”
Master Chef: Professor Gong Yuzhen
Specialty: Belief, Regime, Personality

This course was akin to Kung Pao Chicken – fresh and tender, spicy but not dry. Much like this traditional dish, Prof. Gong’s teaching of Zeng Guofan’s (statesman and Confucian scholar in the late Qing Dynasty) leadership embodied Chinese culture and history. Qualities showed by Zeng Guofan represent the classic Chinese leadership style. Drawing from history, China’s traditional culture helped students understand the core values and behavior of Chinese management.     

Course no.2 : “International Leadership”
Master Chef: Professor John Yang
Features: Leading by example & inspiring a shared vision

Prof. John Yang’s course was like stir fried onions – sharp like Prof. Yang’s standpoint, cutting straight to the heart. If you’re not careful it will bring tears to your eyes, but after eating, you will feel refreshed and filled with positive energy. In particular, students in POEs and entrepreneur students must have this characteristic to motivate themselves and their team.

Course no. 3: “Organizational Behavior”
Prof.Bruce W. Stening
Master Chef: Prof. Bruce W. Stening
Features: Reflection, motivating, managing     

Pudding is tasty and enjoyed by men and women, old and young. Like pudding, organizational behavior also comes from the West and its theoretical system is built on Western values. Many MBA students work in foreign companies in an international environment with foreign colleagues. Naturally, Prof. Stening’s course was well received. His teaching style was in the form of open discussion, without a definitive answer, leaving students with space over which to ponder.

MBA students discuss leadership courses

Self-cognition – understanding oneself

Confucius said, “I scrutinize myself three times each day”. Laozi said: “He who knows others is learned, he who knows himself is wise” – without thinking about oneself, one cannot improve. Professor Gong Yuzhen’s course drew lessons from history, helping students understand the core values and unique behaviors of Chinese management through Chinese culture.

Leaders’ Charisma – to overcome others with virtue

In the international leadership course, Professor Yang spoke on the three sources of international leadership. Aside from vision and professionalism, the third important point is the strength of one’s character – “To be consistent, to act on words, to be trustworthy and of the highest integrity.” These are all essential for outstanding leaders. Whether Chinese or Western, the ultimate aim is the greater good.  

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Whether Captain Shackleton or Zeng Guofan, their success was not overnight. They each had many trials and tribulations before reaching their goals. West Point Military School is a model of leadership.