Interpretation of the Management Wisdom Questions in Journey to the West and the Answer

Answer 1

Here are some of the management wisdom from Journey to the West:

* * 1. Team member management **
1. * * Restrain capable people **
- Sun Wukong was strong and had a strong goal. He was the backbone of the team, but he was not easy to manage. Tang Sanzang used the Golden Hoop Incantation to restrain him, which reflected that managers should know how to use restraint mechanisms to manage members who were strong but difficult to discipline. Moreover, Tang Sanzang also arranged for Zhu Bajie to balance Sun Wukong's reckless character, like setting up a brake mechanism, using members with opposite personalities to mediate, indicating that managers should consider the mutual restraint relationship between members when building a team.
2. * * Inspires the mediocre **
- Zhu Bajie had many shortcomings, such as complaining and attacking the advanced, but he also had a simple career dream. Tang Sanzang conceived a beautiful vision for him to become a Buddha, and also used both material and emotional motivation. This reflected that managers should be good at "painting cakes" for such members, establish a clear sense of goal and give them motivation, so as to mobilize their enthusiasm.
3. * * Arrange everyone reasonably **
- Monk Sand and White Dragon Horse were hardworking and patient, while Zhu Bajie's humor could enliven the atmosphere. The manager had to give the members a stage to display their talents according to their characteristics. They had to divide the work according to the team's goals and let everyone play their own role. For example, Sun Wukong dealt with the monsters in the air, and Sand Monk dealt with the monsters in the water. In this way, the team members could perform their own duties and achieve a win-win situation for both individuals and the team.

* * 2. Team goal management **
1. * * Target Layering **
- A team had a grand goal, an organizational goal, and an individual goal. Ambitious goals would raise one's realm, and the organization would act as one. They would also use personal goals to motivate everyone, forming a perfect goal system.
2. * * Target and Cooperation **
- The goal of going to the Western Paradise for Buddhist scriptures prompted the establishment of the team, because Tang Sanzang was alone and needed help. After the team was established, they would determine the power structure and division of labor. For example, the three disciples would be responsible for clearing the road, leading the horse, picking the luggage, and other tasks. They would determine the names of the eldest brother, the second brother, and the third brother, and move toward the goal.

* * 3. Source of power for managers **
1. * * Force **
- Tang Sanzang had the power to coerce Sun Wukong. Tang Sanzang's identity was special. He was the reincarnation of the first disciple of Tathagata. He was a good cultivator with a moral foundation. He was entrusted by Li Shimin, the King of Tang, with an official authorization. He was appointed by Tathagata. He also had the magic weapon, the Golden Hoop Incantation. This means that the sources of power of managers include identity, morality, authorization, external support, and coercion. From a broader perspective, the power of coercion included the support of the system and the existence of a compulsory organization, just like the charging system in reality needed the support of the system and the corresponding enforcement organization.
2. * * Control of key resources **
- In an organization, having key resources could support authority. This kind of resource could be divided into temporary and continuous resources. Mastering the key resources of the continuation would give the organization more power and might be included in the core of power.
3. * * Knowledge and Special Skills **
- For example, in the expedition team, although the members with special knowledge and skills were not the official leaders, they could control the behavior of the expedition team when they encountered difficulties. In Journey to the West, Tang Sanzang was the manager. His understanding of the scriptures and other knowledge advantages also helped him manage the team.

* * 4. Information acquisition **
A manager must have a direct way to obtain information. Just like unit leaders, managers needed to filter, screen, and give feedback to the information they collected. Directly obtaining information could improve work efficiency and reduce work pressure.

* * 5. Desire management (from a special perspective)**
If Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Friar Sand, and White Dragon Horse were regarded as the symbols of Tang Sanzang's desire, then Tang Sanzang's process of obtaining scriptures was the process of managing his own desire. Friar Sand represented low status, Sun Wukong represented indulgent heart monkey (a manifestation of heart monkey and horse), and Zhu Bajie represented good food and lust. Tang Sanzang overcame these aspects that represented desire and finally reached the standard of the scriptures. This reflected that managers should manage their inner desires and understand the importance of desire management in achieving their goals.
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