Lessons on Positive Thinking and Leadership from Confucius

Abstract

In this paper, spiced with Chinese sayings and proverbs, the authors interpret and present positive thinking lessons derived from the sagely wisdom of Confucius. From Confucius comes the emphasis on positive and harmonious relationships as well as the value of learning; and these bring many benefits including even good talent management. The practice of Confucius teachings can bring much peace, learning and growth for the citizens, families and the country (the world).

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON GSTF BUSINESS REVIEW. VOL. I. NO.2. OCTOBER 2011
Lessons on Positive Thinking and Leadership from
Confucius
Prof. Dr. Patrick Kim Cheng
!mY
Ph.D. and Chartered Marketer, Certified MBT]
Administrator, and Certified Behavioral Consultant!
Universiti Brunei Darussalam; Associate, University
of South Australia
Abstract:
In this paper, spiced with Chinese sayings
and proverbs, the authors present and interpret
positive thinking lessons derived from the sagely
wisdom of Confucius. From Confucius comes the
emphasis on positive and harmonious relationships
as well as the value of learning that bring many
benefits including good talent management. The
practice of Confucius teachings can bring much
peace, learning, and growth for the citizens,
families and the country (the world).
Key words: Leadership, Confucius, Confucianism,
positive thinking, self-discipline, self-growth, JiinrJ.
1 Introduction
There are not many writings on Confucius and
positive thinking; hence, this paper seeks to highlight
the master's key writings that portray positive
thinking. Confucius was one of China's most famous
teacher, philosopher, and political theorist who lived
in 551 - 479 BC. It should be stressed that because of
Confucius' positive ideas, the great Ran Dynasty
Emperor Wu (156 BC - 87 BC), rejected a hundred of
other philosophical schools in favour of Confucius,
thus effectively making China a Confucian state. (Yo,
2010).
1.1Positive Thinking
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that would enable
one to look forward for good and favourable results.
One author speaks of being a positive thinker as a
person who possesses a personal power plan- filled
with the strategies that enable him (her) to overcome
the fears, anxieties, and.the insecurities that hold him
(her) back from personal success. (potter, 1994). More
often, a person with a positive mind aims for
happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of
every situation and action. Others may work resiliently
in any adverse condition, hoping that one day their
dreams would eventually come true
In this respect, Confucius once admired his deceased
disciple, Yan Hui who had this virtue of positive
thinking that he could withstand any difficult
environment when others would find it intolerable.
Confucius exclaimed, "What a man of virtues Yan Hui
was! Living in a mean alley on homely fare was a
hardship others would find intolerable, but Yan Hui
was still no less cheerful and would never change his
aspirations. Only Yan Hui was able to cultivate such a
virtue!" (Analects of Confucius, VI: 11).1n this regard,
we would agree with Low's (2010a) view that positive
Sik-Liong A!!g
B. Sc. (Hon. London), M Phil. (London), MBA.
thinking is more than thinking or the thoughts that one
has; it is, in fact, the entire approach to one's life. As
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the Indian national
leader and philosopher, internationally renowned for
his doctrine of nonviolent protest said, "A man is but
the products of his thoughts; what he thinks, he
becomes." This is because thoughts drive one to
positively achieve one's goal and positive thinking
provides one's mind with positive words and positive
images and inspires one towards opportunity, growth,
expansion and success. As a matter of fact, our
behaviour can also very much influence the moods of
our surroundings and other people. If we feel positive
in our doings and we do good things to others. This
would definitely affect other people's moods; and
others would become positive like us. Over
time,
people around us would respond to our positivism. As
a result, we all become positive and kind; and we all
become positive and caring in our society. This
virtuous cycle can also be illustrated as shown in
Figure-I. In other words, if we apply positive thinking
in our doings, we help each other/others - make others
happy, we are happy and the setting become a pleasant
setting.
PosIMsm
01
posIiie ~
taflleaj
to a
lIlO(e~ ~
t
can ~ atat a
khj
cr vit1IlUS
cycle
-,
•••••
Wea!led
otI1eI
p!OIlIe';
moods;
others become posti;e
/
On the other hand, a person thinks in a negative way
would have thoughts of doubts and fear that would
make one to work negatively and most often leads to
failure. Besides, if we feel negative, we may not care
about or can be insensitive to others' crying for help.
We would affect other people's mood; and others
become negative too. People around us would react to
and be influenced by our negativism and negative
thinking. Over time, we would have the surrounding
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people becoming negative and unkind; and we all
become negative and we would have no caring in our
society. This vicious cycle can be illustrated as shown
in Figure-2. Therefore, ifwe applied negative thinking
; we would not help others and we would make others
unhappy or miserable.
NegaUrism
or
I1I!gIIM
IIHIlg
can
be wn..
lean
tnv
aIloIt
a
vi:lluI
cydt
It can be said that one who thinks positively is an
optimist and one who thinks negatively is likely to be
a pessimist. Actually it is like half a bottle of wine. A
pessimist would say, ''What a shame! Such a good
bottle of wine and there's only half left!" while an
optimist would say, "How lovely! Such a good bottle
of wine and there's still half left!" The only difference
is their attitudes. In today's fiercely competitive
society, it is more important now than at any other
time in history to maintain a positive state of mind
(Yo, 2010). Winston Churcbill (1874-1965)
summarised both ways of thinking very well that,
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty"
(Mills, 1993).
1.2 Being Self-Disciplined
Confucius concentrated on living life positively and
wished only to be granted a few more years so that, he
said, "when I reach the age of fifty, I may try to
understand the principles of change and I shall be able
to steer clear of making serious mistakes" (Chin,
2008: 1). He was always positive and on the move to
help or render assistance to rulers and others. At the
height of his political career, Confucius suddenly
quitted his job as the Minister of Crime in the state of
Lu at the age of fifty-four and spent 14 years moving
around countries to advise the rulers .According to
Sima Qian, the historian (four century after
Confucius), he highlighted that when Confucius was
given the authority to fulfill his position, he was able
to accomplish impressive feats. The state ofLu slowly
became prosperous because of his positive way of
performing his task diligently. However, over time,
the ministers slowly got corrupted and when he found
out that his hard work and contribution to the country
were not being appreciated, at a later date, he resigned
and moved. Thereafter, the state of Lu collapsed
(Chin, 2008). The point here is that positively
speaking and for the sake of good talent management,
running a country depends on good or quality people.
History tells us that one has to emulate Confucius; be
is perceived as positive in his thinking. He would
always make it work: in any adverse situation and
condition(s). He ensured his self-discipline and
showed his positive example, refusing to be swayed
by the corrupted officials, hence his resignation.
Self-discipline is positive and it leads to positive way
of life. Confucius promoted rituals; Confucianism
promoted rites to be followed and all these instilled
discipline and self-regulation which is good, it helps to
cultivate self-growth and development. We must
safeguard our mental capacity for judgement, and for
that we cannot take insurance, our insurance company
is within: self-discipline (by, for example, following
the Rectification of Names- a father be a father, a ruler
be a ruler and so on (Analects of Confucius, XIII:3)
and a clear awareness of bad behaviours and anger
(why the rituals are subscribed and done) and the
positive aspects of respect to the elders, kindness and
compassion (for example, filial piety, businesses'
paying back to community by helping the
community). If one is truly disciplined, one becomes
positively alert and fully aware, one - more than -
works out the practices and these rites becomes
increasingly meaningful, and not mere blind copying
and following. The Dalai Lama (1999: 165) refers to
discipline as "a supreme ornament and whether worn
by the old, young or middle aged, it gives birth only to
happiness ... A peerless ornament, it brings relief from
the hot pains of delusion."
Confucianism is overa1l positive; it stresses on human
improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other
people's suffering. It also foster us the discipline to
check:or control ourselves as Confucius reminded his
disciple to spend enough time in thinking before
taking action «Analects of Confucius, v: 20) and to
grow ourselves and take care of others. We criticize
ourselves for the overall betterment.
2 Being A Good Leader and A Gentleman or Lady
(.T,
Hanyu Pinyin:
jiind)
In Confucianism, the leader is believed to be a chosen
one, mandated by Heaven, and hence should be a good
leader, morally responsible to the people. A good
leader should uphold the value of jiinzi. (acting and
behaving as gentleman(1ady). If we are to achieve a
state of orderliness and peace, we need to return to the
traditional concept of virtue. Virtue is thinking and
doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong; virtue
is a good quality and way of behaving and is based
entirely on the value of
jiinzf.
Confucius believed that
human nature is naturally good. Therefore, a good
leader must practice benevolence,
'ren',
Being
benevolent is synonymous with being a
jiinzf
(gentleman or lady). Obviously, being a gentleman, a
leader must take care of the interests and needs of all
his followers and supporters.
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Confucius said, "A good leader may be compared to
the wind and the common people to the grass. Let the
wind blows over the grass and the grass, under the
force of the wind, cannot but bend." (Confucius cited
in Chew, 2000: 18). 'Talk doesn't cook rice' [or to
present its meaning in a positive way, action gets
results] but pro-active, through his examples and
behaviour, a leader thus becomes persuasive, raising
his influence and gain the trust of his people.
Interestingly, the positive leader's best way to up his
influence is to apply the Golden Rule, the gentleman's
code of conduct (Low, 2010b; Low and Ang, 2011).
In essence, you do onto others what you yourself like,
and "do not impose to others what you yourself
dislike" (Zbou, 2005: 4). By doing so, you will not
incur resentment, and win others over.
2.1 Relationships Rule
Relationships are critical; relationships role, and make
life and living easier when people stay connected and
help. Confucius stresses on the importance of the
family; and in the family unit, the father is the key
figure. He must be the role model, a good example to
his children. For the son, it is the son's duty to obey
without questioning and honour his father, even after
death. When the father dies, obedience is given to the
oldest brother. Confucius states in the Analects,
••Meng I Tzu asked about the treatment of parents. The
Master said, 'Never disobey! ...While they are alive,
serve them according to ritual. When they die, bury
them according to ritual and sacrifice to them
according to ritual. ", (Analects of Confucius H: 5).
"Gold in the heart is better than gold in one's purse."
as a Chinese saying goes. Showing care and concern
to his followers, the benevolent Confucian leader is
thus like a father to his followers. Besides, the family
spirit is often fostered, and to quote Confucius: A true
gentleman is in harmony, and is friendly with others
though he does not agree with them... (Chew, 2000:
17). Low's (2oo6a; 2(07) studies indicated that this
kind of father leadership has given Singapore a sense
of unity and it has that edge; it gets thing done with
the leader's good relationship with the people.
Singapore's Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew (87
years old), the father of Singapore, in his recent
speech said that, "His original philosophy of enabling
every Singaporean family to strive for his/her own
home has played an important role in Singapore's
stability and progress. It instils pride in the
community, gives national servicemen a reason to
fight for Singapore, and makes for a stable society."
"Singapore has seen very few riots since the 1960s
because everybody has a borne to protect", he added.
(Singapore Straits Times, 2011). Obviously, a
benevolent leader is always showing care and concern
for his followers and that the family spirit is often
fostered in the society/country at large.
In this regard, it is also of relevance to the Chinese
small business leadership situation and! or even in
today's motivational leadership ways, and Low (2008:
35 - 36) puts forth as such:
The father leader/small business-owner
collaborates with his "family members" in a
purposeful team fashion, "rubbing shoulders and
doing something together also gives tbe
opportunity to share. There is joint purpose,
sharing the same dreams and bringing the
relationship to a higher plane. There is also
synergy" (Low 2001: 101; Low, 2005; Low,
2007). Employees' successes are celebrated and
with effective team leadership, teamwork is
fostered and higher performance attained.
In essence, it seems that this teamwork, or more
appropriately, consensus-seeking culture may be
related to loyalty, which is also considered to be a
virtue by the Chinese (Bond, 1987, cited in Low,
2002; 2009). Chinese are taught from a young age to
be loyal to their family and kin. Hsu (1984) claims,
loyalty to the family will continue to play a critical
role among Chinese. Family is important in any
culture, but it is extraordinarily so in Chinese culture.
But more importantly, "relations among family
members provide the human basis for the moral
virtues of the Chinese" (Nakamura, 1978, cited in
Low, 2002; 2009). Hsu (1984) has identified some of
the significant characteristics of the Chinese family
that have a strong impact on Chinese organisations .
The Chinese as a people are special in their
relationships with others within their etlmic group
especially for those coming from the same village and
those sharing the same surname. They form
associations to foster strong relationship in looking
after and helping each other and the Cbinese also put a
strong emphasis on the importance of blood relations,
parental authority as well as filial piety and loyalty.
According to Dr. Habrizah Hussin, an expert in
entrepreneurship and SME (Small and Medium
Enterprise) development from Universiti Brunei
Darussalam (UBD), more than 50 per cent of
businesses in Brunei are run by families and that
family owned businesses run by the Chinese are
mostly passed down to the second and third
generations whilst family owned businesses run by the
Malays are less likely to be passed down to the second
generation. She also remarked that different cultural
and business values between the two communities
playa big part in the lifespan of any family business.
(Hussin, 2010).
In Brunei, the family-owned businesses run by the
Chinese include numerous combinations of teams such
as husbands and wives, parents and children, relatives
and their extended families. Some businesses have
been established for quite a long time over three
generations. And this is due to their strong
commitments to quality of products and services and
upholding of their own family name and pride, and
also their care and concern for the wellbeing of their
employees are often likened to that of an extended
family. For instance, the Lim Teck Hoo Holdings,
founded by the late Pehin Temenggong Dato Lim
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Teck Hoo, are now managed by a team of his children
and. relatives. Even after his demise years ago, his
family members continue to expand his business and
also carrying on his legacy of contributing to local
Chinese education institutions annually. His
esta~lished scholarship fund is aimed to help and
provide scholarship to underprivileged students who
have achieved excellent results in Chinese schools in
Brunei Darussalam (Kon, 2(09). This family-owned
business or more specifically, the family factor in
business is confirmed to be significant during the
authors' interview of a young lady entrepreneur
(organized by the University MBA International
Business class). Holding a director/shareholder
position in a corporation (group) consisting of eleven
companies, she explained that the group was run
effectively by her parents, uncles, aunties and cousins.
Based on the description, it is similar in content and
practices to. what were examined by Low (2006;
2010), that
IS,
the value of sense of unity and team
work, being one of the core values of Chinese
enterprises in most South East-Asian countries. The
young lady entrepreneur commented that one of her
aun~ was still working well past her retiring age and
that If there was no successor (relatives) to take over
the business in the near future regrettably, she would
close down her aunt's business. The authors
interpreted that it is her aunt's positive mindset that
enable her to work actively past her retiring age and
that it ~so iJ\u~~tes good partnershiplrelationship.
The Chinese positively depend on family and relatives
more and prefer running family business. (Ang, 2009).
In Singapore, the late Kwek Hong Png, founder and
~hairman of the Hong Leong group of companies, for
mstance, pointed this out when he was expanding his
business: Mindful of the old Chinese proverb that
when tackling a tiger, one needs the help of one's
brothers, I invited my brothers tojoin my firm.
(K
wek,
1987, cited in Low, 2002; 2(09).
It should be pointed out that on the one hand
attachment to one's in-grouping as well as too much
inward thinking can lead to much ethnocentrism, bias
and discrimination. Yet on the other hand, one can
also argue from a bigger picture angle where an
organization of family culture expands and evolves
into 'the organization that value going modem and
political stability' (Low 2002, 2009: 305); what the
authors are emphasizing here is that successful
organizations do evolve over time and extend out their
love, when they also look at all others - even those
outside their racial, ethnic or religious groupings - as
their brothers or sisters.
[Confucius once says, "A gentleman is always broad-
minded while a petty man is always full of anxiety."
(Analects of
Confucius, VII: 37)] In a big-hearted or
broad-minded
(11).t§)J,
Hanyu pinyin:
xtn
xiong
tan
dimg")
fashion, not keeping in mind the
services he has rendered nor should he forget the
troubles he has caused, but not forgetting the favors
others have done for him, such a leader harbors not
feelings against his 'enemy', but promotes peace and
love. During an interview with the leader of the Brunei
Chinese Chamber of Commerce who is now sixty-
three years old, he recited to the author a common
saying,
"lIiZtt*. ffl.I;ttt•. ',
hanyu pinyin:
;·qu
zhi she
hui,
yang
yi
she
hui" meaning one takes
benefits from the society, one will pay back to the
society which coincides with Low's (2006) study. This
is one of the key motivators that he adopted when he
was a young businessman. To date, he would never
forget to give/donate to the Brunei community as well
as his neighbouring countries' friends and
associations. This, for him, is to foster goodwill and
enhance networking in business. (Ang, 2009).
As leaders, when we treat all more justly and with
love and compassion, the world will perhaps become a
better peaceful place. There can also be more joint
work, strategic alliances and cooperation with outside
organizations and agencies, both within and cross
borders.
2.2 Respecting Talents and Inspiring FoUowers
"One can easily deal with matters using
understanding. It's as simple
as
using sunlight to melt
ice."
(Wang, 1993: 24).
In a similar maimer, it is crucial to understand the
importance of talent management in the conetxt of a
company's operational effectiveness. Low (2010c)
stressed that 'talent or human capital is the primary
driver of any successful company, better talents
will
definitely differentiate higher performance companies
from the rest; and talent management is critical when
it comes to business excellence and success. '
Excellent leaders have a good number of good, loyal
followers or tearns. Such leaders grow their people
and achieve success through the strengths and gifts of
their own teams, co-workers and employees. "When
recruiting always pay respect to talent, that is the way
to make a country
(also read as company or business)
strong and its citizens prosperous. Only the foolish do
otherwise." (Wang, 1993:
II,
italics ours).
Wise
positive leaders appreciate their people, the human
capital. A good example of the country that focuses
on talented people is Singapore, a multiracial small
country that has no significant natural resources and
the only thing the country has and depends on is the
highly motivated human capital and deeply rooted
fatherly leadership (Low, 2006a; 2007; 2009). And
Singapore is still able to maintain its sustainability and
further business development; this is mainly due to the
positive leaders' broad business network externally
and internally meritocratic style of management in the
organizations, which it is felt, is closely associated
with Confucian values. Singapore's success story can
be said:o be dependent on talent workforce working
harmoniously together to produce and to deliver the
results swiftly and meet the targets on time and within
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budget. This encourages world-wide investors to do
business in Singapore.
Moreover, setting the example and being humane and
compassionate makes the strategic leaders inspiring to
their people. They usually keep their troops highly
motivated and more importantly, their people
enthusiastically carry out their orders. And strategic
leaders lead their organizations in attaining high level
performance. Even punishments and decorations or
rewards are carried in strict manner (Chu, 1994: 291).
Wang (1993: 152) cites one of Feng Menglong, the
famous Ming Confucian scholar's masterpiece, that
"only with clear commands and strict discipline can an
army be trained and ready for war (competition in the
present day context). Killing one to teach a hundred is
a necessary thing to do." (italics mine).
Low (2008) has highlighted that even in this
millennium; one haunting reality of the corporate
world is discrimination at workplace. Bias, prejudice
and differentiation treatment rather than actual job-
related basis constitute discrimination.
Positively speaking, the strategic leader should be
global in outloolc, objective and loving. And here, a
return to the old fashioned Confucianism would
indeed stress on humanism, and love for mankind. The
strategic leader should value talent in whatever forms.
According to Confucius, "no man is a machine. He
should not behave heartlessly like one, or as if others
were machines" (Chew, 2000: 5). Besides, detached
and un-trapped by power, position and wealth, tbe
positive leader steadfastly serves. "A gentleman is
(also) conscious only in the knowledge of others'
comfort; the mean is conscious only of his own
comfort" (Chew, 2000: 2, italics mine).
The wise leader is sensitive to the needs of his people
- as real as the tlowers in spring; those made of silk
pales in comparison; the latter, artificial, lacks natural
beauty. Those who are sincere, loving and wise are
naturally faster than the ordinary people in solving the
problems.
2.3 Adopting 'Prosper Thy Neighbour' -When
There is 'Big Peace', There is 'Big Prosperity'
Ancient China often had many wars and internal strife.
But the wise Chinese emperor very much avoided
wars and violence. Normally non-violence was
embraced, and war or violence was seen or deemed
necessary as the last resort. To win without fighting is
better than winning with losses. (Low, 2010).
In this regard, Confucius said, "In his dealings with
the world, the jiinzl (gentleman) is not invariably for
or against anything. He is on the side as what is
moral." What Confucius meant was that the jiinzl
neither try to force things that would create conflict or
resistance nor oppose things without a reason. He is
neither too demanding nor too detached, neither too
close nor too distant, but act morally and justly.
Morality and justice should be the principles and
standards by which we all conduct ourselves. His
calm, warm and practical theory of human relations
suggests that to do as much for the society as one's
abilities allow is the greatest possible protection of the
rights and benefits of all.
If one has an optimistic and positive attitude, and a
proper understand of the boundaries and limitations of
dealings with others, one can become the kind of
person who brings happiness to others, and let one's
happiness become a source of energy, shinning like
the sun on those around one, bringing comfort to one's
family and mends and even, eventually to the whole
of society. But as jiinzt, one must begin with one's
neighbours and friends. (Yu, 2010).
2.4 Seizing Opportunities for Learning and
Applying Training and Overall Self-Growth
"Give aman afish you feed him for a day. Teach him
tofISh and you feed
for
a lifetime." (Chinese proverb)
To paraphrase Winston Churchill's wise words, the
pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity while
the positive thinker sees the opportunity in every
difficulty faced. Perhaps it is because of this that the
positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible
and achieves the impossible. One shows care and
concern to the people one relates with.
Confucius said, 'A gentleman blames himself learns
and cares for others, while a common man blames
others and does not learn and care.' Confucius said,
'If a man (lady) would be severe towards him(her)self
and generous towards others, (s)he would never arouse
resentment'" (Lin, 1994: 81, italics ours).
A gentleman (lady) learns and loves, showing much
care and compassion. Once one replaces negative
thoughts with positive ones, one begins to achieve
results, one sees the world in Technicolor and it's no
longer in black and white.
The positive thinking can also be seen in Confucius
when he was saying that 'it does not matter how
slowly one goes as long as one does not stop.' One
becomes tough and proceeds when one thinks
positively.
One learns and in learning, one keeps on improving.
Positive-minded leaders also adopt, as a rule, taking
advantage of the situation to render the competition
ineffective. Opportunists are those who know how to
capitalize situations and with this, come the element of
positivity. Even a crisis (this is related to the saying
earlier mentioned: 'a falI into a ditch, a gain in your
wit') is seen as an opportunity. And whenever the
competition faces an adverse situation, one should
seize the opportunity to strike or fight back. A case in
point is that of a 90-years old prominent Bruneian
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businessman, Pehin Kapitan Lau Ah Kok, who
positively believed that there are always opportunities
around in business and he used the Chinese saying,
"*~~l&.
ii~~.?
"hanyu pinyin: "sai gong shf
md .yiin
zhffoifu
T",
meaning obstacles turn out to be
opportunities for him (Sim, 2000). Wbenever the
conditions are favorable, one should seize the
opportunity to strengthen. Generals are warriors, and
soldiers are courageous. Soldiers fight well when they
have high morale; in the same way, company
executives should find ways to boost the employees'
morale. Wben the employees' morale and fighting
spirit is strong, they should advance to fight the
competition (Low, 2010).
Get better, or get beaten! Training 'little dragons' or
soldiers for battle are essential (Low, 2010). Likewise,
training employees in today's ever-changing world is
critical. Untrained troops, like untrained employees,
will only yield casualties, and allow the competition to
take advantage of the company's situation. As
Confucius stressed on the importance of learning and
teaching others by constantly reminding himself if he
had reflected on what he had learnt, if he had always
been working hard and never tired of learning and if
he had pass on his knowledge to others (Analects of
Confucius, Vil: 2).
The above, if subscribed, is positive, equivalent to one
of Jack Welch's leadership secrets, more specifically,
leadership secret number seventeen - that is, to
"provide an atmosphere where people can have the
resources to grow, the educational tools are available
and they can expand their horizons" (Welch, cited in
Slater, 1994: 50) as well as capitalizing opportunities
for both individual and organizational growth.
2.S Being Sociable and Still Conscious of One's
OwoDignity
A student, Zigong once asked Confucius, "Wbat do
you think of the saying; Poor without being
obsequious, wealthy without being arrogant?"
Confucius told him that this is pretty good but there is
another higher state of positive thinking and that is,
"Poor yet delighting in the Way, wealthy yet
observant of the rites." The higher state requires that
one must not only accept poverty peaceably, and not
go crawling and begging for favours, but with positive
thinking, one must also be possessed of a calm, clear
inner happiness, the kind of happiness that cannot be
taken away by a life of poverty. Similarly, one with
power and riches must not be haughty or self
indulgent, one must be refined and courteous, with a
cheerful and contented mind. (Yu, 2010).
Confucius said, "The junzr is conscious of his own
dignity without being contentious, and comes together
with other jUnzr. without forming cliques. He keeps
harmonious relationship with others by observing the
rites in his behaviour and speaks with modesty and
acts with sincerity." (Analects of Confucius
xv:
18.
22) Another Confucian saying that has the similar
meaning is
~1.i~.
Hanyu pinyin: ne! fling wai
yuan directly translated as: (internally square
externally round) or round outside but square inside
meaning a gentleperson (jiinzi.) is outwardly gentle
but inwardly stem; He is smooth and easy-going in
manners but highly principled and discipline in his
undertakings. In other words, ajunzlis sociable and
gets on well with others. However, nothing can
undermine his inner dignity; he is never competitive
with those around him. Neither would he ever form
cliques or scheme for personal advantage. A positive
thinking junzf is grounded in the nature of reality and
he also knows that this same reality is his own nature.
He has an independent, truly calm, steady, down-to-
earth mind and heart that can avoid being swayed by
the rises and falls, gains and losses of life.
In sum, the characteristics of a positive and self-
discipline junzi.
(~T,
Gentleman or lady) can be
illustrated as shown in Figure 3.
R.csptcd1l&1'aIet'tr.
a
IMpirinrl'olluwers
~-....mc
I:~H •••••
c.ptaI
Ielft&SodOIo And
StII Consdousof
OM ••o.n DiCnitf
__ Cal••a.a..r
hlnerhippiAeSS
_.c.oun.o..
CIoOeofu!'
CI>nwIt<d
MInd
1IeIIIIoAtIIIIo/llIII
~-
-.
r.thoriyCft
......•
'-""'"
FomIV_
_0'•.•.•••
Adapdllf'ProopH
TIIy
NeI~
1\rt_,.~1IIIy
Ncnlt_
!IriftJ"w>_t.CoD"",oOthen
Opda•••• _AtIitudoTo ••"""
-naO!JpottUfIitios.
WnI ••••• ~TtIIItlI\I
_!IverIII Growth
one" ••••••• Kte90n "'-
~OM·,_•.•.
3
Concludip~ Remarks
Confucius with his positive thinking never intended
his teachings to be written down. Nevertheless his
disciples transcribed them and made them to be known
as the "Analects of Confucius" that came to form the
basis of Chinese culture for thousands of years. With
his wisdom and guidance, he conveyed an inspiring
and important message to us that as a gentleperson
(junzi), of whatever status or station in life, a person,
of the right mind and heart and with all sincerity and
honesty. should perform one's function - through
continuous learning, self-cultivation and the practice
of humanism - and realizes one's potential. And that
is the positive aspect of (leading and) living.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Prof. Dr. Patrick Kim Cbeng Low, Ph.D. (South
Australia), Chartered Marketer, Certified MBTI
Administrator, and Certified Behavioral Consultant
(IML, USA), brings with him more than 21 years of
combined experience from sectors as diverse as the
electronics, civil service, academia, banking, human
resource development and consulting. The once
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Business, the
University of Malaya (Jan to Feb 2007), Prof. Dr.
Low was the Deputy Dean, Postgraduate Studies and
Research (2009), teaching in Universiti Brunei
Darussalam. He teaches the graduate students! MEA
in Organizational Behavior, Managing Negotiations,
Leadership and Change Management, and the
undergraduates in Leadership Basics, Challenging
Leadership, Business and Society, Issues in
Organizational Leadership, Organization Analysis
and Design; and Organization Development and
Change. The former Associate Dean, Director of
Career Services and Chair of the Management and
Marketing Department of a University in Kazakhstan
(2004 to 2006) focuses on human resource
management and behavioraJ skills training covering
areas like negotiation! influencing, leadership and
behavioral modification. He can be contacted at
patrick_low2003@yahoo.com.
Sik Liong Ang, B. Sc. (Hon. London), M. Phil.
(London), MBA has more than 30 years of experience
in Petroleum Engineering and Chemistry, Education
and Chinese Culture. In business, he had some good
experience in transforming and reorganising a
company unit into an effective and efficient outfit
toward a Quality Management System. He had also a
sound knowledge of contract management and
leadership training. Ang, an executive Ph.D.
candidate, is currently pursuing his Ph.D. programme
on Confucian Leadership and Management and he is
also a research assistant for e-Government research
grant project at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
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