Confucianism, virtue and leadership: The focus on humble leadership

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

12-2015

Abstract

The Confucian jūn zǐ serves as a moral exemplar for his followers and subordinates. In this regard, Confucian virtues such as benevolence and righteousness are relevant and important for leadership. The virtue of humility has been less explored. Drawing upon the Confucian classics, the paper discusses the features of the Confucian virtue of humility and its contribution to virtuous leadership. Parallels may be drawn among Confucian humility, the Chinese attitudes about leadership, and the increasing focus in the West on humble leadership. The Confucian concept of humility resonates well with recent insights on the importance of humble leadership in business contexts.

Keywords

Ethics, Confucianism, Business, virtues, humility, leadership

Discipline

Asian Studies | Law and Society | Leadership Studies

Research Areas

Public Interest Law, Community and Social Justice

Publication

Handbook on Virtue Ethics in Business and Management

Editor

Alejo J. G. Sison

First Page

1

Last Page

11

ISBN

9789400767294

Identifier

10.1007/978-94-007-6729-4_24-1

Publisher

Springer

City or Country

Cham

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6729-4_24-1

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