Confucius’ Wisdom

For an enterprise to be successful, apart from working extremely hard, the only alternative is to ensure that employees have the ability to learn quickly and enjoy contributing their own expertise.

The wise are not confused, the Ren person is not anxious, the brave are not afraid.

Low cost is not the decisive factor. Making something different is what really counts.

The world changes fast. If you cannot let go of old ways of thinking and doing things, and simply try to repeat your current success, you are sure to meet with failure.

Take a long-term view. If you don’t, you’re bound to have problems in the short term.

The most precious aspect of a first-rate corporate culture is not high tech, but high touch.

The first and most important step in selecting employees is to use the right people.

There is no so-called best system, just a best system for the current circumstances. Systems and quality are the same – they both require constant improvement.

Once a corporate culture of “customer first” is established, employees will want to do what is right for customers. Giving directives to employees on everything amounts to restricting their scope to being responsible.

If a leader wants to achieve effortless control, he must use culture to manage, lead and control.

Never underestimate the importance of business ethics. How can a company or manager who does not have the trust of customers do business well?

The key reason why Japanese entrepreneur, Kazuo Inamori, never let any of his companies suffer a loss was that he respected heaven and loved mankind.

Enterprises that want sustainability today must be concerned about their customers, the planet and the future.

The Confucian approach to management exceeds our concepts and imagination.

Most business leaders spend very little time talking with their staff, not only missing out on precious transmission of experience, but also losing an opportunity to inspire them.

A superior should respect his subordinate and a subordinate be loyal to his superior.

A leader should use the Socratic method of questioning to constantly refine the views of his employees.

A manager must be clear about what is important and understand how to delegate.

Being strict to let others appreciate the importance of a problem and prevent it from happening again is constructive criticism based on concern for the other person.

Rumors can easily destroy the unity of an organization. Seek out the source of a rumor and set the facts straight.

A leader knows how to effect changes. He seeks to be good, but even more importantly he seeks ability.

Communication and discussion must be among people with a similar set of values; otherwise it’s easy to miss talent or express a mistaken view.

How you face your mistakes will determine whether you are fit to be a leader and be a turning point for the whole corporate culture.

A wrong business policy often affects customers worldwide and may even shake an enterprise to the core, resulting in unforeseen heavy losses.

A successful leader usually has certain common characteristics: studious, good communicator, specialized, trusted and trusting, able to resist the various temptations that come with power.

To be a person of influence – be discreet in word and deed, practice what you preach and take responsibility for what you say and do.

If you don't know how to learn, of course it's difficult to change. No matter how much additional water you try to put into a full bucket, it's no use because the water just keeps pouring out.

Leaders in today's society must have integrity, be honest and be able to make bold, wise decisions.

Make up your mind and you will know what you should do and what temptations you should resist.

Don't think about yourself only when talking with others. Listen attentively, observe the other person's countenance and attitude, and then respond appropriately.

In this age of rapid changes, you have to constantly re-examine yourself.

Wealth is not a measure of your success in life and you are not restricted to one type of job or way of earning a living. You have to make a choice and live a meaningful life.

When you are angry, think about the consequences of your anger; when you see an opportunity for profit, think whether it's just.

When faced with difficulties in life, you have to know the right time to change your attitude. Don't be put off by some hardship or unfair disadvantage. You will then be able to set a solid foundation and won't be restricted by your environment.

Be honest and truthful in dealing with people. Have the courage to bear the consequences of your actions without shirking responsibility.

Human nature has both good and bad elements, but our environment and what we learn can change our nature.

When I visited Japan in 2006, I read an article by the former chairman of the Japan Business Federation (and former chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation) Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, saying that the first thing any great leader must do in the 21st century is to study The Analects of Confucius thoroughly.

There are two important Confucian terms, Ren (仁) and Junzi (君子), which are not readily translated into English. Rather than providing a translation which does not capture the Chinese meaning in its entirety, the phonetic transcriptions or pinyin of those terms have been used and explanations of their meanings are listed in this episode.