The Role of the Leader in Social Entrepreneurship: Examining the Social Principles - Coursework Example

 The Role of the Leader in Social Entrepreneurship: Examining the Social Principles behind Wu Qing’s Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women Introduction Given the challenges posted to businesses today on being socially responsible, social entrepreneurship is regarded as a viable solution toward attaining sustainable business operations. Indeed, the recognition of values that are geared toward creating positive impacts to culture and society make social entrepreneurship conceptually attractive to individuals with strong social principles. In this light, the leader plays a pivotal role in attaining the success of social entrepreneurship. Strong leadership qualities become a combination of intellectual and emotional competencies. It is, most essentially, the leader’s clear understanding of his or her social vision that guides in the development, implementation, and measurement of his or her social programs. To further appreciate the role of leader in social entrepreneurship, this paper would like to critically examine a case study revolving around Wu Qing’s Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women. Through a more detailed study of the main reasons that propelled the creation of this non-profit organization, as well as the values that have largely influenced the adoption of strategies that helped attain sustainable operations, this paper is intended to elucidate the connection between the personal values of the leader and the main principles that govern social initiatives. With this, this paper will be divided into three parts. The first part shall focus on giving a brief background on the type of leader that is suited for social entrepreneurship. The second part will zero in on Wu Qing’s Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women. The last past will provide a conclusion that will incorporate all key lessons obtained from the case study. Role of the Leader in Social Entrepreneurship Social entrepreneurship springs from a strong social vision, which is usually a response to a current social problem. Examples of this include gender equality, environmental preservation, values formation, and the like. Thus, social entrepreneurship is claimed to move with a cause. The social entrepreneur, in this regard, must possess an innovative mind and a willing heart to bring significant change to society. It is, for the most part of it, the leader’s clear grasping of his or her end goal that fuels his or her desire to run a certain social program. But taking hold of an idea is one thing, executing it is another. Thus, it is claimed that a leader should be able to have excellent communication and inter-personal skills in order to gain support from like-minded individuals who could perhaps help in the funding of his or her program. Such practice not only maintains the sound operations of the program, it also equips the leader with certain perspectives and techniques to improve the program’s current practices. In the case of Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women, it is said that the program will not be a success without the boldness of its leader’s vision to bring forth women empowerment. Such visioning has been influenced greatly by Wu Qing’s solid ethical and ideological foundations. To begin, it can be said that Wu Qing has been rewarded with benefits that most women in China did not have at that time. Looking at her familial background, Wu Qing’s mother is China’s most celebrated female author while her father brought the study of sociology to China. As such, it is logical to point out that she has not only been given the right resources and tight social networks, she has also been educated with strong ethical and ideological standards. In this regard, Wu Qing would not be the type of social entrepreneur that she is without her values. Her courage to speak up for women empowerment, her willingness to go the extra mile to get support from the government and other international organizations, and her entrepreneurial skills that helped manage the resources of the program all contributed in turning Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women a truly viable program. Looking at Wu Qing’s past achievements would further reinforce her capacity in bringing forth change in society. In 1988, Wu Qing launched the first university course in women’s issues. Aside from this, she also took part in setting up a hotline that is intended to help women address issues concerning family, marriage, sexual harassment, and domestic violence. Through this communication outlet, Chinese women have been given the ample emotional support to value their worth and place in society. In addition to these projects, Wu Qing was also able to help launch the Rural Women Knowing All magazine that aimed to raise women’s awareness on how to improve their health, their knowledge of their rights as stated in the law, and harnessing their skills in various areas. She has also been a legislator since 1984 in which she has been elected for seven terms as the people’s deputy to the Haidian district people’s congress, and four terms in Beijing’s municipal people’s congress. Throughout her legislative stint, Wu Qing believed in the idea that ‘rule of law must override the rule of men’. Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women Founded in 1993, the Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women has been Wu Qing’s brainchild in “supporting the social development of rural Chinese girls and women through practical skills training and civic participation, which improves their economic independence and political empowerment” (Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, n.d.). Since its inception, BCDCRW has been focusing on grassroots training projects regarding citizenship, gender, social responsibility, legal and political participation, economic independence and practical skills (Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, n.d.). One key example of the projects launched by BCDCRW is the Practical Skills Training Center for Rural Women that was formed in 1998. Intended to provide training for women and girls of poor families, the program was able to teach 16 to 20 practical skills to women in order to enhance their social and economic status. Since April 1998, the program has taught over 11,753 women and girls from 22 different ethnic groups. Some of the noted lectures included Start Your Business (SYB) seminar that enabled rural women to take advantage of China’s fast-growing economy, as well as classes on literacy, suicide prevention, political participation, a domestic workers' support network and a migrant women’s club.  In addition to providing seminars and lectures to rural women, BCDCRW has also helped respond to the needs of female victims after a major earthquake in Sichuan Province in May, 2008 (Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, n.d.). By training village heads’ assistants on dealing with risks and by teaching village medical workers on first aid and psychological help for mothers who lost family members, BCDCRW has alleviated the negative effects of the catastrophe on women’s psychological and emotional health. Role of Women in Chinese Economy In conclusion, it can be said that not only was BCDCRW successful in uplifting the mindset of rural women on gender equality, it was also able to help the government and other social groups recognize the role of women in helping improve the country’s economic and socio-political status. Indeed, as the Chinese society modernizes and globalizes, women’s roles and rights that continue to be dominated by tradition must be refreshed with new ideas and perspectives. And since women comprise the majority of the inhabitants in rural areas, changing their mindsets on their capacities to change Chinese society will truly provide the needed effects to further boost Chinese economy. Source: Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship (n.d.). Profiles: Wu Qing. Retrieved 28 Mar 2013 from http://www.schwabfound.org/sf/SocialEntrepreneurs/Profiles/index.htm?sname=129203. Read More