Zhuangzi lived 2,000 years ago, and he understood the laws of human society very early.
Trees of success were cut down
There is a story about Zhuangzi taking his students on a study tour in the mountains and came across a group of peasants cutting down trees. So the Zhuangzi student said, "Do you see anything special about the trees that have been cut down?" and one student replied that these trees are high-quality timber used by farmers to make houses. One of the students said that it was a tsubaki tree, which had a bad smell and was not very good-looking, so it could not be used to build a house. Zhuangzi said that high-quality trees are cut down and used as timber, but unqualified trees have a good ending. The student had an epiphany that according to this line of thought, we should restrain our edge and not show too much talent. Zhuangzi said that you only understand part of the truth.
The untalented goose was killed
In the evening, Zhuangzi and his students had dinner at a farmer's house. The owner of the farmhouse decided to kill a goose. The students saw the owner of the farmhouse running around chasing the goose, causing chaos in the farmhouse, but there was a big goose at the door standing firmly, with a serene expression and a particularly proud demeanor. The student asked, "Why do you chase the other geese but not the one at the door?" The master replied, "You should know that some geese can crow and some don't." The goose standing at the door is particularly melodious, with the sound of mountains and rivers, and those geese without special features can only be stewed. Zhuangzi then asked the students, "Look, only those who have special skills can stay, and those who do not have special skills will be eliminated, do you understand the truth?" The students replied that if they want to improve their talents, only if they have strength, will they not be eliminated.
The Transformation of the Dragon and Snake
Zhuangzi asked again, the previous story was that only those who did not become talented could survive, and those who became talented could not survive, but the current story is that only those who have talent can succeed, and those who do not have talent will be eliminated. So, is it more important to succeed or not to succeed? The students were confused.
Zhuangzi went on to say that there is an idiom called the change of the dragon and the snake, which means that a gentleman should have the ability to change like a dragon and a snake. When it's time to become a dragon, you have to become a dragon, show your talents, and soar in the sky. But if there is a great drought and a hot summer, you need to become a snake on the ground, with earthworms and ants, living in muddy caves and eating unclean food. Such a change is necessary.
Between the wood geese
In the workplace, we often have to adjust our performance according to the environment and leadership style, if you meet a leader who suppresses yourself and does not advocate individuality, then you should restrain yourself and not show your talent too much, and if you meet a leader who appreciates personality and talent, then you must show your talents and abilities. That's the wisdom of being smart and flexible enough to adapt to the situation.
Epilogue:
In fact, this wisdom also reflects the way of thinking with Chinese characteristics. True wisdom is not immutable, it must adapt to the complex and changeable environment and the requirements of diversity, and it must be able to make correct guidance according to the actual situation. Marxism tells us that objective laws will not change due to human will, which means that the development and change of things are not determined by our subjective will. The objective law is that everything is conditioned by time, place, and conditions.
Make the right decisions and actions on a case-by-case basis. This wisdom can help us adapt and grow better in the workplace, and it can also guide us to achieve better in life. Therefore, let us always insist on seeking truth from facts and objective analysis, only in this way can we continue to make progress and achieve greater success.