Wu-weianother "way" of leadership

Abstract

The main subject of this doctoral dissertation is the nexus between wu-wei (a traditional Chinese notion that permeates decision making and governance) and Supportive versus Toxic leadership styles as understood in the 21st century. The background is psychological research, and a questionnaire was developed and tested with Chinese and Spanish samples. At first glance, wu-wei is an Arcanum, which is a mysterious and contradictory word, a powerful Daoist remedy because it combines action and inaction, liveliness and inertia in wise daily life affairs, in politics as well as the routine nature of authority and initiative in a job where rulership is entailed. In Western languages the translation is a nightmare and featuring it out in a questionnaire a labyrinth. This doctoral dissertation evidenced that the exit can be reached, that it has been a trouble and an amusement to search for the way out. Due to the nature of ancient Daoist philosophical jargon, the notion of wu-wei appears as a central theme of non-intervention governance, which is often mistakenly rendered as laissez-faire leadership style. In addition, the lack of an operational framework built under the modern Western management language doesn’t make the current situation any better. Consequently, no empirical-based assessment instrument has been developed, until now, to measure such a phenomenon...