Mao and Deng in fundamental thought on the one hand, while noting
failure of Mao’s post-1949 radical and revolutionary methods in
comparison with the success of Deng’s pragmatic and incremental
methods on the other.
Conclusion
Mao Zedong successfully completed China’s political revolution and
political modernization and established an independent sovereign new
China, free from the historical burden of centuries of oppression.
Deng successfully completed China’s economic and social moderniza-
tion and rejuvenated a nation disillusioned and traumatized by the
Cultural Revolution. Now an international player too prominent to
ignore, China has seen itself through the leadership philosophies and
the distinct leadership styles of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.
Mao’s and Deng’s approaches to leading China, and their successes
and failures therein, deserve considerable interest in the field of
leadership studies.
This chapter has aimed to encourage more research in leadership
studies from the Chinese perspective via the introduction of the major
leadership theories, philosophies, and practices of Mao Zedong and
Deng Xiaoping, and via an explanation and comparison of their
distinct leadership methodologies.
Is there a standard or criterion to judge who was better or more
effective in his leadership endeavors, Mao or Deng? What can we
learn from research on Mao’s and Deng’s leadership? Such questions
are likely to arise in the study of Mao’s and Deng’s leadership philo-
sophy and practice. Although there is no doubt about the indelible
impact both Mao and Deng made on Chinese history, Mao’s brilliant
success during the Chinese revolutionary era seems to contrast as
conspicuously with his own post-1949 failures as with Deng’s success
in reform. Such contrast invites us to reflect more carefully on the
efficacy of their different leadership practices. In their fundamental
leadership philosophies, Mao and Deng shared much, as explained
previously. Mao’s pre-1949 successes and Deng’s reformist successes
tend to lend credence to the validity of such leadership philosophies.
Mao and Deng’s leadership philosophies may be rich in implications
for contemporary leadership and management. Their leadership philo-
sophy of ‘‘seeking truth from facts,’’ if applied, for instance, to the job
Leadership theories and practices of Mao and Deng 233