“…Two questions deserve to be asked: a) Where do I find lasting comfort? b) What hope(s) can keep me going no matter how dire a situation may surround me? I would encourage our new graduates to dive deeper into God's word when exploring these questions.”
—Dr. Gang Li, Assistant Professor of Leadership
As new graduates are seeking work and entering markets that are still adjusting to many changes in light to the global pandemic and gradual re-opening of cities, they face a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
How might today’s graduates best prepare for success?
Assistant Professor of Leadership Dr. Gang Li shares his thoughts on the characteristics of effective leaders for today’s changing world.
“I believe the impacts of COVID-19 on leadership are far more profound and complex than we can conceive of at present,” he said. “Yet for me, two characteristics of effective leadership seem to be very important in the post-pandemic world.”
“One is bringing comfort for the grieving, and the other is bringing hope to the despairing.”
He continued, “I also think the comfort and the hope are likely to be the ones beyond the present, for the long term.”
“In this sense, two questions deserve to be asked: a) Where do I find lasting comfort? b) What hope(s) can keep me going no matter how dire a situation may surround me?”
"Two characteristics of effective leadership seem to be very important in the post-pandemic world. One is bringing comfort for the grieving, and the other is bringing hope to the despairing.”
Dr. Li encourages TWU’s new graduates to dive deeper into Scripture when exploring these questions. “Personally speaking, I have found Isaiah in the Old Testament and Ephesians in the New Testament very helpful in this regard,” he said. “I pray that God will graciously and powerfully shine in our students' hearts ‘to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’”
TWU students engage real-life leadership cases studies
In his classes, Dr. Li explores leadership development in light of current issues. Leadership students learn how to think and act like a leader by applying leadership intervention frameworks to an existing organization of their own choice.
The framework serves as a methodology for learners to become aware of macro and industry trends, and to analyze what specific challenges and opportunities these trends tend to create for the organization. Based on this analysis, the students then devise strategies and action plans for the organization to mitigate challenges and leverage opportunities.
Dr. Li provides a few examples. “One common macro trend is that of the reconfiguration of world order particularly evidenced by the tension between the United States and China. Most industry trends tend to be related to COVID-19, and technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G technology, and sustainable development.”
Developing a new research program for TWU GLOBAL
Dr. Li is also spearheading a new research program at Trinity Western, alongside fellow faculty members Dr. Mark Halvorson and Dr. Derrick Mohamed.
“Our new research program on leadership zeroes in on the lived experiences of three groups at TWU Richmond: leadership students, leadership educators, and leadership researchers,” Dr. Li explained.
Dr. Li and his team hope to use their research findings not just to advance conceptual bases of leadership education at faith-based institutions, but also to explore a variety of approaches to future research on leadership education, including narrative studies, ethnography, and case study.
They look forward to sharing ongoing stories of leadership education development at TWU with peer leadership education institutions and other stakeholders worldwide.
Path to scholarship and to Christian faith
Dr. Li was born in China and received his BA in English at Yantai University, China. He later attended Cardiff University in the United Kingdom and completed an MSc in Education with distinction as a Chevening Scholar. In 2020, he received his Ph.D in Educational Studies at the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Dr. Li became a Christian while in China, through the mentorship of a professor who introduced him to Christianity. “After a year of many conversations about Christianity, God opened my heart to accept Jesus as my Saviour and Lord,” he said.
Dr. Li completed his four-year UBC research fellowship in 2014 and began teaching part-time at TWU. Last summer, as Dr. Li was completing his Ph.D studies, a tenure-track assistant professor position opened up at TWU GLOBAL, where Dr. Li now teaches Leadership.
Since Dr. Li joined TWU, many developments have taken place. The BA Leadership program has expanded dramatically, particularly in terms of student enrollment, faculty recruitment, and campus space at Richmond. To accommodate a six-fold growth in enrolment, TWU recently opened its second Richmond location at Lansdowne Centre.
Over the past year, Dr. Li said that he has observed resilience among the TWU community, innovations in teaching and learning, and deep thinking and planning regarding the future development of the University.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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