Cheng Ho’s Leadership

Cheng Ho’s landing in Semarang will be commemorated on a large scale. Cheng Ho is a great seaman, ahead of major European sailors like Columbus and Vasco da Gama. Also much larger fleet, 200 ships (compared with only three ships Columbus).

Leading the expedition ford seven times the distance of more than 50 thousand miles on the period it is a phenomenal achievement, requires very strong leadership. Six hundred years ago, led the fleet involving 200 vessels with a crew of 27 thousand is not an easy thing. Mastery of a leader who is accompanied by a very high managerial skills. He certainly has a vision of a strong and pervasive to all his followers, shared vision. So he was able to mobilize his followers in good coordination.

Mission also considered noble. Just imagine if that time he led a fleet to attack and colonize this country. By looking at the comparative strengths of existing, technically has a chance of Cheng Ho’s fleet big enough to win it. But they do it to spread peace mission. A mission to show the grandeur of the Ming dynasty and the height of the culture of China.

In carrying out its mission, he put forward approach to multiculturalism. He respects the cultural dimension of the local community embraced the form of language, values, patterns of thought, religion, artifacts, and orientation to time and space. Respect for the other perspective helps capture exactly the situation quickly (quick to see). This attitude brings insight and wisdom in addressing the behaviors and attitudes in different cultural contexts (quick to learn). This becomes a critical factor that increases flexibility in acting (quick to Decide) and interacting so terbinanya close relationships without compromising the achievement of desired results.

The use of soft power such as this demands hard work from a leader more than the use of violence itself. Why not, he should be able to convince his men that this method can be successful. With the various challenges and trials faced, he should be able to cultivate and maintain a spirit of faith to try to achieve it. As a leader, its commitment to become a reference in mobilizing the commitment of his men. From the travel time to reach that goal is always confronted with the process of change, both internal and external changes changes. Sometimes the change is extreme, causing a crisis that could lead to doubts and pessimism.

In fact, enthusiasm plays a vital role in achieving the goal. It was his job as leader to always blows enthusiasm to all his subordinates. Ability to motivate, give examples, and inspiring to the demands of the inevitable. Real tolerance and empathy demonstrated in many ways, not limited to mere rhetoric.

There are interesting stories during his visit to Majapahit, who was then beset by civil war stronghold Blambangan. When located on the north coast of Java, the second person in the fleet, Wang Jinghong, serious illness. Some sources say the history of chickenpox illness are severe, and classified as a communicable disease. Considering the health condition of his mate, Ho Cheng Wang Jinghong Port lowered Simongan (now named Mangkang) Semarang. Wang Jinghong hospitalized there in a cave to avoid disease transmission to others of his men. In fact, some sources claimed that the Cheng Ho took care of his own hands, including the mix of drugs for him.

Imagine, an admiral who led no less than 30.000 people in more than seventy ships in a mission that is important so pay attention to his mate. As long as he treat Jinghong Wang, control of the fleet which he submitted to the designated person. Yet with its power, it’s easy for Admiral Cheng Ho to appoint his subordinates to take care of Wang Jinghong while he was still leading the fleet.

When conditions improved Jinghong Wang, Jing Ho left the following 10 crew to guard it. He again led the fleet to carry out the primary mission assigned after ensuring that his representative is already in a safe condition and just waiting for the recovery course.

Cheng Ho’s leadership integrity shown in the concern for Wang Jinghong as his deputy was felt by all his subordinates. Instead, he was granted not only respect but the totality of all his subordinates. No wonder if the Admiral Cheng Ho’s success in every opportunity