Chinese leadership culture expects leaders to model the standards they demand from followers. This isn’t optional virtue—it’s fundamental expectation. What leaders actually do communicates more powerfully than what they say; followers observe closely and learn from leader conduct.
The leader who demands sacrifice while enjoying privilege, who requires effort while coasting, who expects honesty while cutting corners, undermines their own authority. Leaders should work at least as hard as followers, demonstrate the commitment they expect, and visibly exemplify organizational values. This connects to moral dimensions of leadership: character qualifies leadership as much as competence. If you’re leading in Chinese contexts, understand that your behavior is constantly observed and evaluated as indication of what’s truly valued.
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