Asian Leadership

Asian Leadership in Policy and Governance examines contemporary challenges facing public leaders in Asia, providing insight into leadership processes and contexts past practices affecting effective governance and policy leadership.

The foreign policies of presidents, prime ministers and their foreign secretaries can be influenced by the preferences of domestic and international nongovernmental actors, as well as those of other governments. Representative democracy, media power, citizen activism and the globalization of politics and telecommunications, for example, have accelerated changes in the sharing of power. This book focuses on the Philippines and Japan where, willingly and unwillingly, foreign policy executives share power with individuals and groups inside and outside of government bureaucracies and their societies. The book retells the foreign policy narratives of regional cooperation, military relations and official development assistance (foreign aid), revealing how executive foreign policy makers and civil society organizations share power - and succeed or fail - in a globalizing, democratizing world. A variety of published, unpublished and declassified sources provide journalists, scholars, government practitioners and global citizens with a sophisticated understanding of the domestic politics of foreign policy making, as well as its intergovernmental and transnational side.

In the twenty-first century, it is necessary for Asia to step up and assume a larger leadership role on the global stage, commensurate with its economic weight and interests. Eighty-eight percent of the increase in the numbers of the middle class in the next five years will take place in Asia, underscoring the reality that global business and leadership will be colored in significant ways by Asian values, approaches and strategies. This book explores how this may impact our view and conceptual approach to the notion of global leadership. The contributors to this collection explore and examine the concept of global Asian leadership and outcome implications at the societal, corporate and policy-making level. They argue that global leaders will increasingly focus on specific needs, values and strategies that are uniquely Asian, which emphasizes the reality that we most likely will have to redefine our notion of global leadership. This comprehensive study of the integration of Asian and global leadership will benefit those employed in the corporate, government and educational sectors as well as a broader audience with an interest in leadership, policy-making and economics. "To truly understand Asia, one needs to grasp not only its cultural dimensions, but also the organizational and societal contexts which provide a training ground and unique challenges and opportunities for Asian leaders. In this book, leading scholars share the latest thinking and scientific research on exactly these topics. Highly recommended for both novices and seasoned executives and scholars!" Donald L. Ferrin, Ph.D., Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, Singapore Management University "While Asia’s rapid economic growth has caught the attention of the world, the study of the leadership engine behind the growth has been scarce. This book fills the void by assembling a coherent group of insightful articles to explore and explicate how Asian business leadership is different yet also similar to Western business leadership. The similarity resides in the meaning of leadership, that is, the capacity to influence others to achieve a common goal, whereas the difference manifests in the means or styles to exert such influence. With better and deeper understandings of Asian business leadership, this book offers invaluable wisdom to bridge the gap between the East and West for a more prosperous future of all mankind" Philip M. Condit, Endowed Chair Professor in Business Administration, Editor-in-Chief of Management Insights and Incoming Editor-in-Chief of Management and Organization Review, Department of Management and Organization, Foster School of Business, University of Washington

Following the publication of Leadership in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower convened a Third Executive Roundtable in 2010 to examine the various challenges confronting leadership renewal in the Asian business context, especially in the aftermath of the global financial meltdown and economic downturn of 2009. The intensive session, spread over two days, threw up illuminating examples and astute observations on the subject, which were peppered with thoughtful anecdotes and penetrating truths that will titillate the reader. Involving corporate CEOs, Chief Human Resource Officers and leadership thought leaders, the leadership focus group identified four important questions that Asian leaders must address in order to succeed at the highest level: Where are we going? How do we get there? What is work like when we get there? Who stays and who goes? With these on their minds, they set about to pinpoint eight success factors and action domains that are crucial in leaders to enable them to navigate around the pitfalls of being a leader and a change agent in the organisations they lead. These are: Creating customer-centric actions Implementing strategy Getting past the past Governing through decision making Inspiring collective meaning making Capitalising on capability Developing careers Generating leaders Edited by eminent leadership gurus Dave Ulrich and Robert Sutton, this book describes the valuable insights and lessons gleaned from individual leaders and the organisations they lead. A useful reference for potential leaders, corporate honchos and management experts on leadership issues in organisations within Asia, it represents a significant contribution to research on the subject in the continent, which is home to a multitude of diverse cultures, languages and beliefs, as well as the unique challenges these pose to leaders in leading their organisations.

Heart to Heart with Asian Leaders is an intimate and insightful look at leadership issues first-hand with 28 prominent persons across politics, business, finance and academia in the region. These illustrious leaders have been specially selected for the values they represent, and how they have overcome crisis and staged comebacks against the odds. This book will serve as an invaluable tool for all in these challenging and fast-changing times — a resource which will profit leaders in the boardroom and living room, office and classroom. Contents:The Educator of the Heart Leader (Amnuay Tapingkae)The Change Leader (Chatree Duangnet)The Hold-All-Things Loosely Leader (S Dhanabalan)The Courageous Leader (Edward Ong)The Reluctant Leader (Edwin Soeryadjaya)The God-honoring Leader (Francis Yeoh)The Poor Man Leader (George Ting)The Versatile Leader (Ho Peng Kee)The Lead-from-the-Front Leader (Hsieh Fu Hua)The Impossible Dreamer Leader (Idris Jala)The Life-Long Learner Leader (James Chia)The Anti-Corruption Leader (Jaruvan Maintaka)The Resilient Entrepreneur Leader (Jocelyn Chng)The Failed Again Leader (Kim Tan)The Succession Planning Leader (Lee Oi Hian)The Prison to Parliament Leader (Lim Guan Eng)The Responsible Builder Leader (Lim Hua Min)The Future-Oriented Leader (Lim Siong Guan)The Rich in Love Leader (Montree Sornpaisarn)The Moral Courage Leader (Ngiam Tong Dow)The Corporate Bridge-Builder Leader (Paul Chan)The Constructive Engaging Leader (Paul Low)The Collaborative Leader (Roland Wong)The Trusted and Truth-Telling Leader (Roosniati Salihin)The Ipoh Housewife to Global CEO Leader (Sandra Lee)The Crisis-Calming Leader (Stephen Riady)The People-First Leader (Tan Cheng Bock)The Value-Focused Leader (Tanri Abeng) Readership: Professionals and the general public. Keywords:Leadership;Asian Leaders;Asian Business;Asian Politics;Leadership Development; Asian Leaders PerspectivesReview: “John and Alvin have a unique disarming ability to get leaders to speak about the most difficult issues and challenges of leadership and get them willing to go public on it. These conversations with leaders represent a peek into the psyche and emotions of leaders as they process through their journey in leadership. It is a priceless set of insights valuable to any student of leadership. A must read.” Mr Sam Lam President and Managing Partner of Linkage Asia “This Volume is the result of John's relentless curiosity in learning from the successes and challenges of game changers in Asia. You will find honesty, humility and determination as the icons interviewed share their minds and hearts. A mandatory reading for those willing to learn from others.” Mr Peter Chao Founder, Eagles Communications “John, an evergreen human motivator, draws critical life lessons from several business and thought leaders who have gone through the feast and famine in their journeys. The easy prose style of the book makes it a warm book. I commend this book.” Judge (Ret) Richard Magnus Expert (IBC) Member of UNESCO Alumni of Network Agenda Council World Economic Forum “If the earlier book was the Dim Sum, this is the entrée, the substantial meat. When the topmost leaders of brand name organizations speak and tell you the value of great leadership principles and beliefs in their corporate and personal lives, you will have much to chew on.” Professor Ang Peng Hwa Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Nanyang Technological University, Singapore President-Elect 2015/16 International Communication Association “This book provides the platform for readers to engage not just with leaders of their own country but also those from the nearby region. No leadership can escape trials. They say iron sharpens iron — what better way than to spend time learning from those who have triumphed!” Mdm Hannah Yeoh Madam Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Malaysia “The true stories of these great leaders are so powerful and enjoyable. Reading "Heart To Heart", I have learned so much from their experiences, wisdom and practical advice. I strongly recommend the book to everyone who wishes to be a great leader. Enjoy it, learn from it, and become a great leader.” Dr Somjin Sornpaisarn CEO of TMB Asset Management “I thoroughly enjoyed reading the interviews and the thought-provoking comments made by these Asian Leaders.” Mr Lucas Chow Chairman of Health Promotion Board Singapore Member of Board of Trustees of the National University of Singapore “A must-have book for all leaders. Read and learn from those who have gone through tough times and made triumphant comebacks.” Mrs Suwanna Eiampikul CEO of Bertram Chemical (1982) Co. Ltd., Thailand CEO and Founder of Peppermint Bike Park, Thailand “This book contains much wisdom that comes from the practical insights of leaders as they reflected on the choices they made, the struggles they went through, and the outcomes they achieved. I was touched by their humility, and inspired by their faith and deep convictions. This book is an invaluable resource for all leaders.” Professor Neo Boon Siong Nanyang Business School Nanyang Technological University, Singapore “In their intimate interviews with these 28 Asian leaders, John and Alvin have given us a portrait of authentic leadership. These leaders were never about power, prestige or position but principles, praxis and perseverance. Their stories inspire me to be a wiser person and a better leader.” Mr Michael Tan President of Eagles Communications, Singapore Key Features:Unique collection of intimate interviews with 30 well-known leaders from various sectors (politics, business, academia) across several Asian countriesReaders are able to gain many rich insights and perspectives from prominent Asian leaders, and learn from the collective experience and wisdom of these regional leadersThe book is written in an easy-to-read format with catchy taglines for each leaders, and gives the feel as if you are chatting over a meal with the leader

This book examines the vital nature of the subject of leadership in Asia and looks, in particular, at the processes and practices within the Asia Pacific region. It describes how leadership processes differ across various regions and teaches managers how to better employ these processes in order to improve the success of their organisations. The work moves beyond looking only at Western ideas and explores further leadership perspectives based on differing cultural foundations. It considers the influences of Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism and Legalism and also reflects the character of different leadership styles, such as paternalistic, benevolent transactional and transformational styles, as well as authentic and entrepreneurial approaches. Throughout the text, a wide range of international contributors adopt an array of leadership and other theories, cases, sectors and methods to discuss leadership in Asia. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Asia Pacific Business Review.

This book compares and contrasts leadership in Japan, South Korea and China, examining the impact of globalization on leadership styles and trends. Presenting some of the most recent findings in leadership studies in these three countries, the collection explores the power relationship between political and business leaders; employer-employee relationships and pro-social behaviour; the measurement of effective leadership; the relationship between leadership and corporate success; the survival of private firms in a tightly controlled or socialist market; and the evolution of leadership styles in the transition from state-owned to semi-private. Although many studies have offered explanations of East Asian economic and corporate success, this book presents empirical evidence to explain the leadership styles in Japan, South Korea and China, and provides a fresh outlook for those studying business and leadership in the region. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Asia Pacific Business Review.

Writing from his own rich experiences--both successes and failures, Paul Tokunaga addresses the needs, difficulties, gifts and abilities that Asian Americans struggle with in leadership.