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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Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteI believe you hit on a great point related to Fullan and that is that effective leadership does not involve heroics. As we posted our leaders on the board that first class many of them were heroes to some or famous and we chose them because everyone knew who they were. Many of the greatest change agents do so in a quiet, morally upright manner. For me it is important to make decisions based upon what I believe is right, just, and fair. These are the only decisions I can stand behind and justify.
Jung Chang is certainly a leader in every sense and although she does so in a passive way, she does so and has many people who believ in her and what she stands for in her beliefs. Have a great day!!
Dave
Hi Jenny
ReplyDeleteThe effective leadership quality of moral purpose is important. Fullan (2001) cited that a leader with a perceived meaningful life required them to have a life purpose which goes beyond them. The life of Jung Chang would illustrate this definition. She also acted as a change agent to improve the lives of her fellow countrymen in China.
Randy Pausch faced his terminal illness with courage and a determination that his disease would not define his life. In his presentation and book, he described that an individual can live their life as an energetic Tigger or a sad-sack Eeyore (Pausch & Zaslow, 2008). He noted that we all have these two choices and he asked the audience to consider which they wanted to be.
References
Fullan, M. (2001). Leadership and Sustainability. Retrieved February 2, 2009, from Center for Development and Learning Web Site: http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/ldr_sustainability.php
Pausch, R., & Zaslow, J. (2008). The Last Lecture. New York: Hyperion.
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.