We may spend more time during the day and most days of the week with colleagues than family members, which makes work relations vital to realising the good life. In early Confucian thought, the shared goal of mutual personal growth for both leader and subordinate was to ensure a thriving community. We bring to light how the seemingly hierarchical work setting accommodated a dynamic nature to the relationship – drawing on Confucius and other exemplars who creatively engaged with others even in difficult situations. Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the […]

Leadership has never been easy – even over two thousand years ago in ancient China. Confucius and those who followed in his footsteps travelled to various states to offer ideas on better leadership for all levels of government. They argued that wise leadership is not a skill developed in isolation, but rather the culmination of an embodied virtuosity in interactions. For example, the exemplary Shun developed within a dysfunctional family, influencing his closest family members as well as his community and state. Confucius lived over 2000 years ago, yet his influence remains very strong in China. During the Han dynasty, […]