A fascinating Chinese model via her Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, Shanghai could serve as an inspiration.

The People’s Republic of China today stands out as the largest developing country and one of the fastest growing economies in the globe. How it transformed itself from a hitherto agrarian economy to a huge industrialised system to reach the enviable second global economy status in barely three decades after launching its ‘Reform and Opening Up Policy’ is what marvels the world. On the ground here in China, experts are unanimous that the foresightedness of its leadership and their management and governance skills gave the country its present status.

China Executive Leadership Academy, Pudong in Shanghai is credited for equipping her leaders to power the economy to boom. Officials say the school strives to foster and sustain strong, ethical and effective leadership for coordinated development of economy and society, mutual understanding of different cultures and promotion of global peace and prosperity. The school, according to its Executive Vice President, Zhou Zhongfei, inculcates leadership skills in intermediate and senior government officials, business executives and other senior professionals so that the country’s development plan drawn up by the central government is harmoniously implemented by all.

With this, he said, leaders know where they are coming, where they going and what is awaited from them in the short, medium and long terms. Economic analysts here agree that through such a school, coupled with a high degree of love for country, China is able to surmount the challenge of ‘eternal commencement’ through leaders who feel their predecessors failed in everything and all must change once they are ushered in. Innovation, however, they agreed, is good, provided it has added value.

China Executive Leadership Academy, Pudong therefore dishes out ‘Values Education’ to develop leaders’ awareness of being faithful to the interests of the country and people, to the ideal and cause of the government and to their missions and positions. It also implants ‘Behaviour Orientation’ to help leaders regulate their behaviours and improve their skills through a variety of role plays. This makes the leaders real servants as almost all of them believe their position is an opportunity for them to chip in their quota for nation-building.

The humility with which this is done in the spirit of the governance system piloted by the Communist Party of China wherein mutual respect is upheld, easily makes leadership here a true call for service. The school also carries out scenario simulation for leadership with special laboratory trainings in media and communication, crisis management, financial transaction, e-government, psychological adjustment, anti-corruption techniques et al. Lapses in these areas, Zhou Zhongfei said, could cost the State much in terms of development.