A little bit of Greek philosophy

It's not exactly a surprise anymore when CEOs or company presidents come up to me and say, "Francis, I attended your Leadership Training ages ago when I was just a middle manager, and now I'm running the place! What you taught me worked, and that's why I want you to train our leaders - to give them the insights they need to level up and grow the business."

- FRANCIS J. KONG

I will take that as a compliment. But a little voice in my head says, "Well, buddy, you've been at this a while...not exactly a spring chicken anymore, huh?" But hey, if it isn't broken, right?

With decades of leadership training across diverse industries and disciplines - from profit to non-profit organizations, academia to pharmaceuticals, faith-based communities to real estate, tech, to finance and business processing - I've realized that the most impactful leadership training blends a philosophical mindset with an entrepreneurial spirit.

The term "philosophy" literally means "love of wisdom." Over time, "philosophy" came to encompass the study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics and reality.

Parmenides and Heraclitus were two of the most influential pre-Socratic philosophers, and they offer contrasting views on reality and change that can be applied to modern business strategies and organizational leadership.

Heraclitus is famous for believing that change is the only constant - "you cannot step into the same river twice." The world is in a state of flux, where everything is continually evolving. In the business context, this concept of perpetual change resonates strongly with the rapid technological, social, and economic shifts seen today. Notice the following:

Adaptability and agility: Companies must be flexible, responsive to changes in the market, and open to innovation. Today's business world is marked by digital transformation, AI, startup disruption, shifting consumer behavior, and changing regulatory environments.