Leadership Capacities-Jung Chang
Moral purpose is the driving force in any leader; I cannot endorse any given leader as such without a strong moral sense. Michael Fullan discusses such in connection with the Spiritual Domain of his article (2001, p. 2): “quiet virtues of restraint, modesty, tenacity, compassion, humility.” It is possessing such a strong moral sense that ultimately guides the other leadership capacities. In spite of Jung Chang’s hardships she always maintained this core value within her; it is exactly such that compelled her to tell her story so others would know the story of China and especially the Cultural Revolution years.
Viewing Jung Chang as a leader according to Fullan’s definitions is difficult. While she is involved in a process of change, building relationships, building knowledge and sharing, she is not doing so in an active sense but rather passively. However, if we look at another of Fullan’s definitions of a leader, Jung Chang certainly qualifies: “…the characteristics of effective leaders are accessible to most of us; they do not involve heroics…” (2001, p 2). In a quiet way she is a leader for change in China. Her book is widely read there and is making an impact in both China and the world.
The fact that she wrote this book clearly demonstrates her commitment to “…developing and sharing new knowledge” (2001, p. 1). How easy would it have been for her to not tell her story; how many millions of other Chinese with a similar story chose not to share this story of atrocities against humanity? I believe it is her strong moral sense that made her that one in a billion who felt so compelled to tell her story. The fact that she continues to write about subject matter that the Chinese government still persists in suppressing illustrates to me her quiet pursuit of justice. This is what makes her a leader in my eyes.
References
Fullan, M. (2001). Leadership and sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.
cdl.org/resource-library/articles/ldr_sustainability.php
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I have to agree with you that Jung Chang’s moral purpose is a driving force within her. She is a leader that felt her story needed to be told and she was able to tell it. As you mentioned, she may not have chosen her leadership role, but it did develop through her ability to knowledge build and share. This leadership capacity is very similar to my chosen leader. Oprah Winfrey started out in journalism, but did not know what direction this course would take her. By making relationships and connections with others, she has been able to reculture the way we do things.
ReplyDeleteBoth Jung Chang and Oprah Winfrey have wanted change in society. They have been able to connect to the public by sharing their experiences. These experiences make these leaders more real to us. The more real they are to us, the more likely we can see change through ourselves.
Jenny,
ReplyDeleteJung Chang is most definitely a leader by the definition of Fullan and many others. To have the courage to write about the atrocities against humanity committed in China during the Cultural Revolution is remarkable. How many others have bee silent. Her book will be a way for others to know the truth about what happened, in spite of the Chinese government.
That she still writes today shows her tenacity and strength of her moral conviction. I am in awe of someone with those qualities.
Heifetz and Linsky said that a true leader they lead people through difficult change that challenges their strongly held views and beliefs. This is what makes leadership of this type dangerous. In the face of that danger, Jung Chang forges onward. We are very lucky to have people with these qualities to lead us, while others are quiet.