Promotion
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
- 1
- 2
Zhang Yong was Minister of Public Works under Emperor Zhenzong in the Song dynasty. He believed that a civil servant should be free from corruption even though he was poor, should be hard-working but not complain, should be loyal but not assert his loyalty, should be selfless but not flaunt his talents.
He made a point of promoting those who were capable but modest and quiet, while some of his colleagues liked to promote those who were better-known.
“You ought to help those who are capable and modest,” Zhang Yong advised his colleagues. “Such people are generally prudent and have a sense of honor. If you promote them, they can be trusted to uphold their integrity and will rarely cause problems. Don’t recommend those who are aggressive. Such people often have no principles. They are good at currying favor with their superiors. Once promoted, they will like to show off and become even more self-seeking. Their only concern is how to make gains for themselves. Eventually they’ll get those who promoted them into trouble. So, what’s the point of recommending them?”
Next Story
Safety in Number
Last Story
Guan and Bao
Wise Proverbs
- To appoint people on their merits.
- 任人唯贤。
- The virtuous areo pen-minded and at ease. An inferior person is narrow-minded and ill at ease.
- 君子坦荡荡，小人长戚戚。
- The virtuous agree with others without being mere echoes. The lesser person echoes without being in agreement.
- 君子和而不同，小人同而不和。
Editor Says:
To recognize capable but modest people is one of the traits of a good leader.