Just after class yesterday, I received a call from my college classmate Lao Xie who wanted to talk to me. Lao Xie resigned from public office many years ago to start a business, operating fast-moving consumer goods such as alcoholic beverages, and the business is doing very well, and the company now has more than 300 people.
When I hurried back to the company, Lao Xie was already making tea by himself. There is no need to be polite to each other, old brothers, and go straight to the point. It turned out that one of his high-performing business managers did not agree with the company's decision on the direction of new product development, so he still dominated the old bestsellers in the first quarter of operation. Although the sales are still relatively eye-catching, it has obviously disrupted the company's overall strategic deployment, and the promotion of new products has also been greatly disrupted, and there are many other business divisions waiting to see the attitude of the headquarters towards this matter.
Now Lao Xie's confusion is: how to deal with this middle-level cadre? Take it away, he's always been very capable, and a little reluctant; If he stays, he will definitely stick to his own direction, and it will have a bad demonstration effect.
"I suggest taking it out and changing positions. Let him reflect on it, which will help him understand the company's strategy; The second is to make an example of others, so that other sales departments can realize the firm attitude of the headquarters to the implementation of the strategy. I said to Lao Xie.
"I brought this brother out single-handedly, and I don't have to say anything about my business ability. It's a bit of an axis, and in the past two years, I'm satisfied with the front-line fight, I don't study, and I can't see the general situation of the market. Lao Xie is still struggling.
"You're talking about one aspect. Another aspect is that the sales of mature products are guaranteed, and the team's income is stable. There is a certain risk in vigorously promoting new products, and I am afraid that this is the starting point of your brother. I added to the analysis.
"But there is a problem with taking him out. First of all, he will definitely have a mustard in his heart; Secondly, there will be some disruption to the business. Lao Xie was worried.
"Dude, you must know that the most important thing in making decisions is to be decisive, and you can't be afraid of wolves and tigers. Once there is repetition and hesitation, it will shake the morale of the military, and the damage will be even greater, and the problem will expand from the local to the system. "I kept cheering him up.
"Alas, I understand the reason, it's really hard to make up your mind!" Old Xie's face sank like water.
"Let me tell you how Confucius dealt with issues of principle! The ancestors had a solution. "Now, I'll start preaching to Old Xie!
1. Don't weigh and don't hesitate
The Analects of Confucius says:
There are no rare words here, and we will give the translation directly:
It should be noted that in the era of Confucius, horses were important tools for commuting and warfare, and their value was higher than that of slaves who raised horses. Confucius did not ask about horses at all, which shows that he upheld the benevolent idea of "not valuing wealth, but valuing people".
Benevolence loves others, this is the core pursuit of Confucius and Confucianism. In this regard, Confucius is so firm that it fully demonstrates the profundity and wisdom of a great thinker.
In fact, Confucius could ask people first, and then horses. After all, horses are important assets, and it is natural for people to ask.
But Confucius did not have any trade-offs or hesitations at all, showing absolute loyalty to his faith: Confucianism is the study of people, and Confucianism is the way of benevolence. People-oriented is the core concept that Confucian disciples should always adhere to.
Why did Confucius resolutely not ask about the horse?
If Confucius had the slightest weighing, what was passed on to the servants was "both and want". In the event of a similar incident, the domestic servants would not be focused on protecting human life, but on horses and other property, which could easily lead to multitasking or diversion, resulting in casualties.
Moreover, for the majority of disciples, Master's teachings emphasizing "benevolence" will become hypocrisy of "one thing in words and one thing in action", which will cast a shadow on the sincerity of Confucianism.
Finally, if this notorious reputation of "false benevolence" spreads to society, it will bring about a pervasive crisis of trust.
It was precisely by seeing through the huge potential damage behind this that Confucius showed thoroughness and determination. Confucius understood: a hole with a big needle's eye can pass through the big wind! On matters of principle, a 1% loss is a 100% rout!
Let's take a look at a curious historical case.
2. Don't back down and don't give up
Hai Rui, the word Ruxian, the number Gangfeng, Hainan Qiongshan (now Haikou City), a famous Qing official of the Ming Dynasty, is a clear stream in the turbid Ming Dynasty officialdom.
Hai Jui lost his father at the age of four and was raised by his fierce mother alone. He inherited his mother's upright character and was determined to be a man who stood up to the sky.
In the 28th year of Jiajing (1549 AD), Hai Rui was raised; In 1554, Hai Rui officially stepped into the treacherous Ming officialdom and went to Nanping County, Yanping Prefecture, Fujian Province as a teacher.
And Hai Jui's debut was extraordinary.
During his tenure at the county school, the imperial history of the imperial court came to inspect him. The other teachers all knelt on the ground to report their resumes, and only Hai Rui bowed. The imperial historian accused him of disrespecting the prefect, but he pointed out that this place was a school, not a yamen, and should not be bowed. Lord Yushi brushed his sleeves away, and everyone sweated for him, but Hai Rui didn't care.
In 1558, Hai Jui was appointed as the county governor of Chun'an. He saw the hardships of the people's livelihood, and worked hard to take care of the administrative affairs of a county. And he was extremely strict with himself and his subordinates, resolutely put an end to all kinds of corruption, and became famous for a while. Even Hu Zongxian, the governor of Zhejiang at that time, heard of his name, and also told outsiders that "Hai Rui usually has coarse tea and light rice, and only buys two catties of pork on his mother's birthday".
Once, Hu Zongxian's son-in-law traveled to Chun'an County. Young Master Hu, who had become a habit of eating and taking cards, ordered someone to notify Hai Rui to come to greet him, and asked for a large number of treasures and native products. Instead of bribing him, Hai Rui sent someone to arrest him on charges of impersonating Hu Gongzi and confiscated all the property he had looted. Later, Hu Zongxian was reported, but because he admired Hai Rui's courage and integrity, he did not pursue it.
In 1564, Hai Rui was selected as the head of the Yunnan Department of the Ministry of Household Affairs and went to Beijing to take up his post. The highlight of his career is coming.
At this time, Emperor Jiajing had not been in court for many years. He lives in Xiyuan, is keen to pray for blessings and alchemy, trusts Yan Song and other traitors, and lives a luxurious life.
On February 1, 1566, Hai Rui bought a coffin and entrusted his family to a friend, and then gave Jiajing a copy of "Public Security Shu", criticizing Jiajing's various behaviors.
Jiajing was furious after watching "Public Security Sparse", and ordered the attendant: "Arrest him quickly, don't let him escape!" ”
The eunuch Huang Jin said: "This person has always had a foolish name. He bought the coffin before Shangshu, and he was not ready to run at all! ”
After Jiajing heard this, he was silent. After a while, I picked up "Public Security Shu" and read it repeatedly, sighing incessantly, comparing Hai Rui to a dry one. Later, Jiajing ordered Hai Rui to be imprisoned pending trial. Until Jiajing's death, he did not try Hai Jui again.
During this period, some officials suggested that Hai Rui be executed, but he was suppressed by Xu Jie, the first assistant, and Huang Guangsheng, the secretary of the Criminal Department.
After Jiajing's death, Hai Rui was released. Because of his courage to put life and death outside the realm and directly advise the emperor, his prestige resounded throughout China and was admired by the world.
Although Xu Jie once saved Hai Rui's life, when Xu Jie's son was lawless, Hai Rui still dealt with it impartially in accordance with the law. Everywhere he went, the people cheered, and the corrupt officials fled with their families. The world calls it "the blue sky".
Throughout his life, Hai Jui has always adhered to the lofty concept of a Confucian disciple to "open peace for all generations", no matter how sinister the environment, he never flinched or gave up. His benevolence and love are for the common people of the world and the descendants of the generations to come; His principles and beliefs have always shone brightly and never covered with dust.
Hearing this, Lao Xie suddenly said: "If you are not completely loyal, you are completely disloyal!" For faith and belief, there must be loyalty! Principles cannot be violated, and strategies cannot be mixed with water! Well, I'll arrange for a new person to take over from that brother. If the company wants to fight a big battle, it can't grind and chirp, and it can't lose big because of small things! ”
"Your new product, remember to send me two boxes!" I quipped.
"Hahahaha! If I don't pay tribute to the professor, how will I meet in the future? It will be sent to your office tomorrow morning, and I am the only one who has missed the deadline! ”