Leadership in Action: Wired to Inspire - Leading Organizations Through Adversity

ROLE MODELS

From an Asian perspective, inspirational leadership is marked by paternalism and human-heartedness.

Paternalistic, human-hearted leaders are kind to and respect their followers. They believe that the welfare of the group and society depends on their exercising a beneficial, moral influence. This is achieved by being role models and teachers who show restraint and benevolence.

Paternalism and human-heartedness are more common in cultures that have a group orientation, particularly those in which age and other forms of hierarchical status are respected. Another manifestation of paternalism and human-heartedness consists of the formal and informal teaching-learning relationships that naturally form between senior and junior employees. ...