Jurnal Komunikasi Malaysian Journal of Communication Jilid 33(3) 2017: 140-156 140 E-ISSN: 2289-1528 https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2017-3303-09 Confucian Value-Based Leadership Communication: A study on Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad JOYCE CHEAH LYNN-SZE MOHD. KHAIRIE AHMAD Universiti Utara Malaysia joycecheah@uum.edu.my khairie@uum.edu.my ABSTRACT The study on leadership communication is one of the most often researched topics on leadership. However, there have been only a few studies focused on Confucian value-based leadership in a multicultural society. Therefore, this study is designed to develop a leadership communication model that works in an intercultural context. The aim of the study is twofold, first, is to identify the attributes of Dr. Mahathir’s vision formation and vision articulation associated with Confucian values, which focus on leadership communication; and second, is to provide a Confucian model of leadership that can be applied by multi-cultural leaders. This study analysed 37 speeches and interviewed 15 Chinese leaders. Findings reveal that Dr. Mahathir applied numerous attributes in developing his speech content, such as value-based cores, growth and ideological goals to capture his audience’s minds and hearts simultaneously. This study identifies three main attributes of Dr. Mahathir’s vision articulation; they include clarity, inspirational imagery and challenge. Five Confucian values which are relevant to the Chinese community and Dr. Mahathir’s leadership communication are also presented in this study. The Confucian values are Zhi (wisdom), Xin (trust), Xiao (filial piety), Ren (benevolence) and Zhong yong (moderation). This study also contributes to the expansion of the leadership communication research in Malaysia and other Asian countries. Keywords: Confucian values, leadership communication, vision, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, intercultural INTRODUCTION Recently, many leadership communication researches have been using diversified approaches to study effective vision communication which is an essential tool to motivate people to action, inspires them and creates commitment among followers (Mittal, 2015). However, only a few studies were focused on Confucian value-based leadership in a multicultural society (Miles & Goo, 2013; Robertson & Hoffman, 2000; Wang, Wang, Ruona, & Rojewski, 2005). Although scholars have long considered how leaders communicate vision and values to establish a sense of purpose, they tend to overlook on how these messages can be useful to establish a shared sense of purpose, unity; especially in a multicultural country diversified by religious faith and background such as Malaysia. In addition, the cultural differences concerning to leader-follower relationships suggest that different leadership values may be more effective in one of these cultures from another culture. Confucianism is one of the most important and influential Chinese philosophy in Malaysia (Cheah, Norhafezah, & Mohd Khairie, 2014). In the present Malaysian Chinese society, the influence of Confucianism can still be found in their everyday lifestyle. For a good understanding and successful practice of leadership communication in Malaysia,