(Minghui.org) (Continued from Part 1: http://en.minghui.org/html/articles/2012/8/22/135100.html)
Falun Gong practitioner Yang Qing (a pseudonym) was released from prison in 2006, after being illegally arrested in her senior year of college for clarifying the facts about Falun Gong. As a result, she didn't finish college. Without a college degree, she could only find a job as a cashier at a small supermarket. Then she thought: "This is not right. I was an excellent student in college. My peers have already become architects. I am in an unhappy place because of the Chinese communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong. I mustn't succumb to it."
She found a mid-size architecture design firm and presented her school projects during the interview. The owner, named Gong, conducted the interview himself. She explained to him: "I was forced to drop out in my senior year because I practice Falun Gong. I do not have a college degree, but I was an excellent student in college." The owner praised her work and was quite impressed by her candor. He told her: "Why don't you start working here? I know Falun Gong practitioners are very good people."
Yang Qing was very appreciative of the opportunity and began to diligently work at the firm. She might not have had any real work experience, but she was able to rise to the tasks because of the wisdom bestowed upon her by Falun Gong. In her second year, she was responsible for a large contract, which is something that even some of the seasoned colleagues at the firm had not been able to achieve. She learned on the job and completed the contract to great client satisfaction.
Yang Qing never asked for a raise, but the owner soon raised her salary close to that of senior staff. He told her, "What a remarkable job you have done!"
In addition to talent and abilities, she is most respected for her morality. One day an old school friend wanted to give her a job contract on the side, instead of going through her company. That way Yang Qing would receive a larger bonus. Yet Yang Qing directed the opportunity to her company, instead of taking it under the table.
One day she met a high-level manager of a large corporation. He held her in high esteem after a few correspondences. He felt that she was not only talented, but also trustworthy. He gave her a call to extend a job offer. The corporation was much larger than Gong's firm and more prestigious, and she would get a better pay, but she was impervious. Many of her colleagues called her "foolish," but she decided to stay loyal to Gong, who had given her an opportunity in her darkest hour.
Yang Qing eventually had to quit Gong's firm because she had to look after her family, and the commute to work was too far. President You of a company she had once worked with had a high regard for her. He approached her with a job offer, as he had just formed a new company that was close to Yang Qing's home.
This opportunity meant that Yang Qing had to address many problems of a start-up company that were far beyond her realm of expertise. When she faced a problem, Yang Qing would seek the teachings of Falun Gong for enlightenment, and in this way she was able to find answers to all her problems. There were a lot of new employees and interns in this start-up company. Yang Qing mentored them and taught them about the work. She also shared with them how one should conduct oneself honorably and clarified the facts about Falun Gong to them. Some of them agreed to quit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its affiliated student leagues once they understood the facts.
Yang Qing has learned that management is about promoting an upright mentality among the employees. When everyone knows how to conduct himself or herself honorably, there is no need for excessive rules and regulations. She has also learned that business should be done based on the principles of fairness and honesty, and she follows these principles at work. In fact, she tries to comply with Falun Gong's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in everything she does.
While the monopolies and state-run businesses may be immune to competition, private businesses have to compete fiercely to survive in today's China. Once Yang Qing's company worked with another company on an engineering contract. Her company had to deal with a lot of criticism on this project. The partnering company was furious because they thought Yang Qing's company had stolen their business. That company's supervisor, Xia, criticized every single detail of the work, and Yang Qing was the main target of the fury. It was a large job to start with, but now she also faced severe criticism and lack of cooperation from Xia. In addition, he also lost work materials she sent him twice.
Some of Yang Qing's colleagues got upset and fought with Xia, but Yang Qing thought: "As a Falun Gong practitioner, I must take the high road. I will not fear criticism. As long as he makes good sense, his criticism will help the end result be better." She did not hold a grudge or form negative opinions of Xia. She simply tried to do the best work that she could and help Xia's work be better in the process. Xia gradually changed his attitude. One day Xia chatted with Yang Qing. By the end of the conversation, he extended her a job offer, which Yang Qing politely declined.
Yang Qing eventually moved on and started a new career that was more meaningful to her.
When she submitted her resignation, President You repeatedly asked her to stay at his company and even offered to keep her position for as long as she wanted. Having heard of her resignation, her previous employer Gong also called her to invite her back to his firm.
Yang Qing does not have a college degree. She started working in the architecture industry five years later than her peers, after having to work as a cashier at a supermarket. Now, however, she has become one of the most sought-after professionals in one of the most competitive markets in the world. It is because of the wisdom she has obtained from Zhuan Falun, Falun Gong's main text, and her high moral character that she has won people's respect and admiration.
Employers in both Western and Eastern worlds look for the best talent and ethics. If an employer cannot get both, which aspect is more important: talent or ethics?
Confucius said, "Only when honorable and ethical people are in management will the depraved men be set straight." In Zizhi Tongjian (literally, Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government), Sima Guang, a Chinese historian, scholar, and high chancellor of the Song Dynasty, said, "Talent complements one's morality, but morality directs one's talents to good use." Socrates believed that virtue and wisdom were the same.
The fact that many Falun Gong practitioners are sought-after employees in China despite the CCP's hate propaganda against Falun Gong is a reflection of the practitioners' moral and ethical behavior, because Falun Gong requires them to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
