Anne Bradstreet popularized the statement that “authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.” Chinese religious records provide evidence to this informed observation. Leadership requires that people in power consult and make decisions for the good of the society. The writings on the Confucius kingdom and the ancient life and leadership in China identify some decisions as leading to revolt against the government while a few people rose to support them. This paper analyzes the revolution against the leadership because of the decisions taken by the leadership going against their hopes. It also examines various elements of wisdom that a leader can use in maintaining cohesion among the subjects.
When Jan Jung asked the master about goodness, the master replied to him that while at home, he should treat people as if they were important guests (Paul 1592). In leadership, wisdom entails that the subjects get their fair treatment being part of the system. Most of the authorities mistreat the person they see every day and show goodness to outsiders which makes people to revolt. The master insisted that if people are not treated well, they are likely to revolt against the authority.
In leadership, people rise against the governance when the authorities fail to respect their heroes. When Tzu Yu asked about the treatment of parents, the master replied that many people treat their parents worse than the animals do (Paul1598). The master noted that some animals treated their parents better than people yet people found it hard to admit the bad treatment of their parents and rectify it. No kingdom or jurisdiction comprise purely of the young people hence the authorities must respect their predecessors in order to succeed.
Furthermore, Wisdom in leadership entails preparation for the tasks that an individual has to undertake. When asked about preparation, the master answered that any person with a desire to excel in their plans as a leader must prepare for the tasks ahead of all other people. They must have all that it takes to get the service done (Paul1595). In case a leader does not have insights to prepare well for their activities, they will fall behind the people, which will expose their weaknesses and may lead to revolts from the people.
Jan Ch’iu, while driving the master to Wei, asked him what a leader should do to people as they increased. This gave the other insight into the wisdom qualities of a good authority. The master replied that the authorities must empower people in order to maintain the solidarity even as the numbers rise (Paul1596). Through this answer, wisdom in leadership dictates that the leadership will equip people with the necessary resources and skills to enable them carry out their daily activities. The master argued that when people have good empowerment, they are motivated to work hand to be successful as their leaders. Well-empowered people should not fear competition with the teacher in any way. The master insisted that the leaders must empower people to that level of competition in order to produce resources aimed at developing their areas.
In order to take people into the action and motivate them to get things in the right direction, wisdom of a leader dictates that they must tell people the truth. When Duke of She asked Tzu-Lu about the master, Tzu-Lu did not answer (Paul1594). The master took the chance to tell him that it is in order to have open minds and tell people the truth for them to seek doing even more. A good leader challenges people to revolt positively and do good things that he personally has not achieved. Wisdom dictates that leadership must involve challenging the next person to move further in their actions, as the master challenged people when he told them that he knew nothing about the ancestral sacrifice (Paul1599).
Wisdom in leadership entails that the master keeps an eye on the details of his reign, watching keenly on every step that people take. The master explained to people that no matter the size of an army a country had, it could not stand if the ruler did not attend to business and answer all the questions from people honestly (Paul1600). Honesty and wisdom in governance involves governing people through the set regulations. It also entails avoiding actions that create a picture that a leader is fighting to hold a particular position because of personal interest instead of public’s wellbeing.
According to the teachings of the master, a leader must empower people around them in order to succeed in their leadership. A good leader must have wisdom in order to avoid negative revolts from people as well as encourage the positive revolts. People assumes positive when leaders challenge people to do things within their areas. This is also realizable when people are enlightened and equipped with resources to undertake their activities. However, when the leader lacks the correct morals and acts without obeying the regulations governing them, people tend to revolt in a negative manner.
Works Cited
Paul Davis, Gary Harrison, et al. Bedford Anthology of World Literature Volume 1. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. Print.
