A Steward of Peter Drucker’s Ideas and Teachings

By Joan Drucker Winstein

Ming-Lo Shao was a student and a good friend of my father, Peter F. Drucker, during the last decade of his life. But he was much more than a “student” in the normal sense of the word. He is a conscientious and steadfast steward of Drucker’s ideas and teachings.

And, not only has Mr. Shao read and absorbed Drucker’s thoughts in a personal and meaningful way, he has adapted and applied them to his own enterprises - and he continues to expend considerable resources to make these writings relevant to business owners, educators, scholars, and executives throughout China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

In my experience working with Drucker’s publishers around the globe, since Drucker passed away over 20 years ago, Mr. Shao has promulgated Drucker’s ideas more widely than anyone else.

The urgency for creating a “functioning society” was viscerally real when Drucker wrote his book on that topic; today, in 2026, the potential breakdown of a “functioning society” is an existential threat to our entire world.

Mr. Shao’s book highlights the tremendous need for moral, courageous and compassionate leadership to equitably address the needs of all people, to create sustainable, peaceful, and equitable prosperity, just as Drucker posited over his 70 years of writing and teaching.

Joan Drucker Winstein

Executive Director, the Peter F. Drucker Literary Works Trust

January 21, 2026

【自序】

Peter F. Drucker, internationally recognized as the “father of modern management,” is destined to become a historical figure, gradually fading into paper and digital archives as time goes by. Generations from now, he will likely be remembered as a symbolic name—abstract and distant—much like the Buddha, Socrates, or Confucius. Written in a narrative style, this book aims to present Drucker’s more personal and human side—his warmth, sensitivity, and spirit—to complement what the symbol alone cannot convey, even if only from a limited perspective.

Few Chinese have interacted as closely with Mr. Drucker as I have. During the last six years of his life, I had the rare privilege of becoming his student, his client, and a kindred spirit—essentially, a fellow seeker of the Way. Friends and acquaintances who were aware of our relationship have often encouraged me to share my experiences, even though they know that writing does not come easily to me. I’ve hesitated until now, but as I enter the twilight of my life, I’ve come to realize that if I don’t tell my story now, it will go with me to the grave.

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Yang Wurui, a deeply learned literary scholar, who generously offered his assistance in producing this work. He suggested that I speak while he handled the writing and editing. Our collaboration was seamless and joyful; in just two months, we turned a long-held wish— shared by me and many others—into reality.

Finally, I’d like to add that, much like Mr. Drucker described his memoir, Adventures of a Bystander, this book is, in many respects, something I wrote for myself. Consequently, I’ve tried not to shy away from potential controversy, choosing instead to write as honestly as possible. If my personal perspective contravenes an image of Drucker that you hold dear, I sincerely apologize and welcome your candid feedback and thoughtful corrections.

A Steward of Peter Drucker’s Ideas and Teachings

By Joan Drucker Winstein

Ming-Lo Shao was a student and a good friend of my father, Peter F. Drucker, during the last decade of his life. But he was much more than a “student” in the normal sense of the word. He is a conscientious and steadfast steward of Drucker’s ideas and teachings.

And, not only has Mr. Shao read and absorbed Drucker’s thoughts in a personal and meaningful way, he has adapted and applied them to his own enterprises - and...

Foreword／
A Steward of Peter Drucker’s Ideas and Teachings 006
Foreword／
The Mentor and His Disciple:Peter Drucker and Shao Minglo 008
Preface 015
1. What Brought Me to Peter Drucker 017
2. Our First Meeting 033
3. In Drucker’s Classroom 049
4. The Meaning of Business 069
5. What Kind of Management Education Does China Truly Need? 086
6. The Books Drucker Gave Me 102
7. Drucker the Curmudgeon 130
8. Drucker’s Commitment 150
9. Peter and Doris Drucker 171
Supplementary Essays／
－ Drucker as My Consultant 184
－ Foreword to the Chinese Edition of William Pollard’s Book 191
－ Impressions of Joseph A. Maciariello 199
－ A Functioning Society and Management as a Liberal Art 225
Epilogue／
The Characteristics of Drucker and his Teachings 241

Foreword／
A Steward of Peter Drucker’s Ideas and Teachings 006
Foreword／
The Mentor and His Disciple:Peter Drucker and Shao Minglo 008
Preface 015
1. What Brought Me to Peter Drucker 017
2. Our First Meeting 033
3. In Drucker’s Classroom 049
4. The Meaning of Business 069
5. What Kind of Management Education Does China Truly Need? 086
6. The Books Drucker Gave Me 102
7. Drucker the Curmudgeon 130
8. Drucker’s Commitment 150
9. Peter and Doris Drucker 171
Supplementary Essays／
－ Drucker ...