Leadership: Through the Lenses of Chinese Philosophy of Yin-Yang

Yin yang theory is the core principle of chinese philosophy and metaphysics. In Chinese philosophy yin yang metaphorically describes two opposite yet complimentary forces which are interconnected and interrelated and together form the whole. It is the concept of duality like day and night, hot and cold. It is the essence of many fields from martial arts to medical science. Yin suggests female, submissive, nurturing, yielding, receiving in approach while yang is masculine, aggressive, action oriented, giving in nature.

Good leadership is need of humankind of all times. It is still a matter of wide interest despite of much research being done on it already. A vast literature has been derived from western perspective. While extensive research has been done in management and psychology, much remains to be explored in other fields like philosophy, social science, anthropology etc. The concern is that it has always been looked from a western perspective where it is treated as an object and noun and can be explained through words and definition. It is believed to be linear in function and easily separable into parts. It follows the logic of right and wrong. The leader has to take a stand on what is right and what is wrong. There are no two rights.

In this paper, the concept of yin yang is applied to leadership. Qualities like commanding, action oriented are yang while listening and empowering others are yin. A good leader does not overplay and maintains balance between the two. He finds oneness with his followers.