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By: Dr. Jian Zhang After decades as a healthcare executive, I have come to believe that building corporate culture is the most important responsibility of a CEO. Strategies change. Technologies evolve. AI will continue to transform industries. But culture ultimately determines whether an organization: thrives, survives, or collapses under pressure. Over the years, I have seen organizations struggle not because they lacked intelligence, strategy, or resources, but because they

By: Dr. Jian Zhang The Four Books and Five Classics, written more than two thousand years ago, are not “outdated ancient texts.” They are timeless reflections on human nature, leadership, self-cultivation, education, and how people relate to one another. Among them, The Analects may be the text most closely connected to everyday human life. It does not focus on power or quick success. Instead, it asks a deeper question: What kind of person should we become? In today’s world

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Sometimes, a story written more than two thousand years ago suddenly feels astonishingly modern. Recently, I revisited the famous story of 庖丁解牛 (The Butcher Ding Cutting an Ox) from the writings of 莊子 (Zhuangzi). Reading it again, it is not really a story about butchering anymore. It is a story about work, mastery, energy, and how human beings move through life. And perhaps most importantly, it is a story about how not to lose ourselves in today’s culture o

By Dr. Jian Zhang Over the past few days, I found myself reading Notes from a Quiet Window again, a classic collection of reflections from the late Ming Dynasty by Chen Jiru. When I first read it many years ago, I saw it mainly as elegant literary writing — the quiet sentiments of ancient scholars admiring flowers, moonlight, and solitude. But reading it again now, at a different stage of life, I realize it is about something much deeper. It is about how to remain grounded in

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Every season in the garden carries its own lesson. This time of year, my loquat tree turns into a golden canopy. Clusters of bright orange fruit hang quietly beneath deep green leaves, glowing in the morning sun. Some are fully ripe and sweet, while others are still small and green, waiting patiently for their time. Standing beneath the tree with a basket in hand, I am reminded again that nature never rushes—and yet everything arrives when it is ready. A fe

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Why the Wisdom of Mencius Matters More Than Ever Today As I continue rereading the Four Books, I find myself increasingly amazed by how relevant these ancient texts remain in today’s world. They are not simply philosophical classics. They are deeply practical reflections on: human nature, leadership, pressure, responsibility, and how to remain grounded in a complex and uncertain world. Among the Four Books, Mencius has impacted me especially deeply. If: The

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Today’s workplace is more complex than ever. AI is transforming industries and careers. Organizations are changing rapidly. Competition is intensifying. And many professionals live under constant: Pressure, Uncertainty, and anxiety. People often ask: How do I stay grounded in a competitive environment? How do I manage workplace politics? How do I work with difficult personalities? How do I remain calm under pressure? How do I stay principled without becomin

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders After retiring, I decided to do something I had wanted to do for many years: reread the Four Books and Five Classics (四書五經) systematically. This time, however, I approached them differently. When I was younger, I read them intellectually. Now, after decades of life and leadership experience, I read them through a very different lens — one shaped by responsibility, uncertainty, crisis, growth, and reflection. I chose to

By: Dr. Jian Zhang The Quiet Undercurrent of Our Time We live in an age of abundance—more information, more choices, more opportunities than ever before. And yet, something else is quietly spreading: Anxiety Emptiness. Not always visible, but deeply felt. Many people move quickly, achieve much, and stay constantly engaged—yet still carry an unspoken sense: something is missing. Schopenhauer: Seeing the Root of the Problem The 19th-century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhaue

By: Dr. Jian Zhang It’s hard to talk when your mouth is open, especially when your dentist is working on your teeth and asking questions in the same time. Today, during a routine dental cleaning, my dentist kept asking me questions—about life, about children, about the world we live in today. I wanted to respond, but physically, I couldn’t. So I listened. And perhaps, that was exactly what I needed to do. A few of her questions stayed with me long after I left the chair: Why

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Last night over dinner, a conversation stayed with me. A close friend shared that she has been thinking about selling her business and retiring. She has built a very successful company over many years—through hard work, discipline, and persistence. A few years ago, she went through a life-changing experience: breast cancer. Fortunately, she is in remission. “I don’t feel like going to work in the morning anymore,” she said quietly. “Maybe it’s time.” She sp

By: Dr. Jian Zhang In a recent interview with Jo Wan, anchor at KTSF, I was asked a question that stayed with me long after the cameras were off: “You seem like a literary person who was delayed—did you always have an interest in writing?” The answer is yes. I have always loved writing. But the truth is—I never stopped writing. Writing, All Along For most of my life, writing was part of my work: Scientific papers Business plans Strategic plans Policies Newsletters Press relea

By: Dr. Jian Zhang As Qingming (清明)—the fifth solar term in the traditional calendar—approaches, the energy of spring begins to rise. It marks a time when the air clears, light returns, and life begins to expand more visibly— a moment of both movement and clarity. And yet, in times like this, we often feel something else as well: a quiet restlessness beneath the surface— especially for a Fire Horse in the year of the Fire Horse, when the energy feels like two fire horses gall

By: Dr. Jian Zhang There is a moment in every parent’s life when you realize: Your child is no longer walking beside you…They are standing at a crossroads of their own. Recently, I found myself in that moment. My daughter got accepted by multiple DNP programs, all excellent, but she needs to choose one, now she narrowed down to two. Two extraordinary paths lay ahead—each representing excellence, opportunity, and a bright future. As a parent, especially one who has spent a l

By: Dr. Jian Zhang The World Is Not Perfect—And Neither Are We This morning, I came across a post that made me pause and smile: “Who says pandas have no worries? They have two wishes: to get rid of their dark circles and to take a color photo.” It sounds playful—but it carries a deeper truth. In our eyes, pandas are among the happiest creatures in the world— adorable, protected, loved by all. But if even pandas have “worries,” what about us? Perfection Is an Illusion We often

By Dr. Jian Zhang In the early morning, I walk quietly through my garden. The lavenders are in bloom, each in its own time. Spanish and French lavenders are already vibrant and fragrant. English lavenders are still preparing, slowly, beneath the surface. No flower rushes another. No bloom apologizes for its timing. And yet, together, they create beauty. Yesterday, I shared a piece of joyful news. My daughter was accepted into Johns Hopkins University’s Doctor of Nursing Pract

By: Dr. Jian Zhang and Melinda Liu As a parent and a lifelong learner, I have observed something that concerns me. Too many parents spend an enormous amount of time and energy trying to fix their children’s weaknesses. If a child struggles with math, they are sent to endless tutoring. If writing is difficult, more classes are added. If the child is quiet or different, parents try to reshape their personality. The intention is good. Parents want their children to succeed. But

By: Dr. Jian Zhang Recently, while serving on the planning committee for the Monkey King opera produced by the San Francisco Opera , I found myself returning to a book I first read as a child: Journey to the West . Like many people, I grew up captivated by the adventures of Sun Wukong—the magic, the battles with demons, and his fearless personality. But rereading the story now, at a very different stage of life, I began to see something deeper. At its core, Journey to the Wes

By: Dr. Jian Zhang During International Women’s Month, we often celebrate women who have already achieved leadership positions. Yet some of the most powerful leadership stories begin much earlier — in moments when young women are given a stage, a voice, and the confidence to step forward. Last weekend, I attended the Miss Chinatown USA Pageant and Coronation Ball at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square. The evening was vibrant and inspiring — filled with culture, community

By: Dr. Jian Zhang This spring, my garden is alive in ways that feel both beautiful and meaningful. Last year, I planted two yellow climbing roses and installed a simple arch in the yard. At the time, I could only imagine what it might look like one day. Now the roses have climbed the arch and are blooming in bright golden clusters, glowing under the California sky—more beautiful than I had imagined when I first planted them. Around the garden, other flowers are joining the c