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为什么今天还要读唐宋八大家？ 从八位古人的人生，重新理解成功、失败与领导力 By Dr. Jian Zhang What does success really mean? Is it power, wealth, reputation, or recognition? Or is success something much deeper—the ability to remain true to our values, continue growing through adversity, and leave a lasting impact on others? More than a thousand years ago, the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties explored these same questions—not through theories, but through their own lives. Like many Chinese

One Yellow Flower, A Lifetime of Joy By Dr. Jian Zhang Every garden has a beginning. Mine began with a single yellow dahlia. When I was a junior high school student living in the school dormitory in rural Guangdong, one of our teachers planted several dahlias in the schoolyard. It was the first time I had ever seen them. Standing by the dormitory window, I couldn't help but say, "The flowers are so beautiful!" The teacher smiled, cut one yellow dahlia, and handed it to me. It

By Dr. Jian Zhang Zeng Guofan is one of the best historical figures from China in Qing Dynasty. Not because he lived a life of uninterrupted success, but because he experienced repeated failures without ever giving up on growth. Most people remember Zeng Guofan as the statesman who helped suppress the Taiping Rebellion, founded the Xiang Army, and rose to the highest ranks of the Qing government. Yet I believe his greatest legacy is not his military victories or political ach

六韬与组织领导力：建设能够永续发展的组织 By Dr. Jian Zhang Building Organizations, Not Just Winning Battles Among China’s ancient classics, The Art of War is perhaps the best known around the world. Yet another remarkable work, The Six Secret Teachings (六韜), traditionally attributed to Jiang Ziya（姜子牙), offers a broader vision of leadership. While The Art of War focuses on achieving victory, The Six Secret Teachings explores how leaders build organizations, cultivate talent, establish governance,

By Dr. Jian Zhang This morning, I read an article in The Atlantic that questioned one of the most enduring assumptions in higher education—that the world's most prestigious universities will always remain the most influential. The article argued that demographic shifts, rising tuition, artificial intelligence, changing workforce expectations, and growing public scrutiny are forcing higher education into a period of profound transformation. As I finished reading, I found mysel

Ancient Wisdom for Leading With Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, and Human Connection By Dr. Jian Zhang “The poems express what is deeply felt in the heart.” — Confucian tradition Introduction: Leadership Begins With Understanding People Leadership is often associated with vision, strategy, decision-making, and execution. Yet the greatest leaders understand something even more fundamental: Leadership is about people. Organizations do not innovate. People do. Hospitals do not

By Dr. Jian Zhang Standing beneath the orange tree in our front yard, I am often reminded that nature is far more creative than we can imagine. This tree has been part of our home for many years. A few years ago, I noticed a new branch emerging from the lower part of the trunk. It grew much faster than the rest of the tree and quickly became one of its dominant branches. Soon, it began producing fruit. What caught my attention was that the fruit looked slightly different from

《春秋》与战略领导力：在复杂与不确定中作出正确决策的古老智慧–古为今用，中西结合篇 By Dr. Jian Zhang 名不正，则言不顺；言不顺，则事不成。 ——孔子论《春秋》 “When names are not correct, language is not in accordance with reality; when language is not in accordance with reality, affairs cannot be successfully carried out.” — Confucius on the Spring and Autumn Annals Introduction: A Book About More Than History At first glance, the Spring and Autumn Annals appears to be little more than a historical chronicle. Compiled during the Zhou Dynasty a

By Dr. Jian Zhang For decades, discussions about success have focused primarily on individual capability. We talk about intelligence (IQ), emotional intelligence (EQ), hard work, resilience, and leadership. Modern management theory has helped us understand why some individuals consistently outperform others. Yet these explanations are incomplete. If success were determined solely by personal ability, why do highly talented individuals sometimes fail to thrive? Why do organiza

By Dr. Jian Zhang “The people are the foundation of the nation; when the foundation is secure, the nation is at peace.” — Shang Shu (Book of Documents) Introduction: One of the World's Earliest Books on Governance If the I Ching teaches leaders how to navigate change, the Shang Shu teaches leaders how to govern. Compiled more than three thousand years ago, the Shang Shu (Book of Documents) is one of the oldest classics in Chinese civilization. It records speeches, proclamatio

By Dr. Jian Zhang “As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a leader should constantly strive for self- improvement.” 天行健，君子以自强不息。 ——《易经》I Ching (Book of Changes) Introduction: The World's Oldest Book on Change For more than three thousand years, the I Ching (Book of Changes) has been one of the most influential texts in Chinese civilization. It has guided emperors, scholars, military strategists, philosophers, and leaders through periods of uncertainty and transformation.

古为今用，中西结合篇《管子》与人才培养：领导者最大的事业，是培养下一代领导者 By Dr. Jian Zhang "A one-year plan is to grow grain. A ten-year plan is to grow trees. A lifetime plan is to cultivate people." (“一年之计，莫如树谷；十年之计，莫如树木；终身之计，莫如树人。”) ——《管子·权修》/ Guanzi, Quan Xiu As healthcare leaders, executives, educators, and mentors, we often spend enormous amounts of time developing strategies, managing operations, and solving immediate problems. Yet one of the most profound leadership lessons was articulated more than 2

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