Very, very important questions that require the attention of people at our ages.
19.10.12
Integrity
Let's talk about integrity.
There is a reason why integrity is being held as single most important value in your career, among all kinds of skill sets. Because in the end of the day, people will view you in a multi-perspective picture, and they hope the picture stays the same as the perspective changes.
I have yet fully understood the significance of integrity until one day I get to see it from another perspective. In essence, I get to see how a person tried to hide facts from someone who was supposed to know them, in attempt to avoid some unfavorable consequences. While his act is understandable, it is not acceptable because he is hurting others in the benefit of himself. In such case, his integrity will be in danger, much worse than if he stated facts upfront in the first place.
It reminds me days back then, when someone promised me confidently on a task but failed to deliver. It is even worse than being incapable, because lying/boasting will not only devastate your integrity ("You are not doing what you said"), it will drag other's workflow in the team environment as well.
Now, I should stop accusing others and mention some of my bad deeds. Being an over-achiever, I once took over two responsibilities which schedules perfectly clashed on each other, one I accomplished with full passion, another as persuaded mission. While I put myself in the best light in former, I literally screwed up in the latter. I went on to abruptly quit the task with a resignation letter, and did not followed up ever since. Putting in my superior's angle, it is certainly heartbreaking and nerve-wrecking to see one of your men quitted away, rising red flags on team spirit.
Looking forward, I have been through both sides and now start to see how integrity interplays as leaving impression on others, building reputation and being a credible person. It may cause you some obstacles in climbing corporate ladder, but think deeper, is advancing by reaping others really a good idea?
Think about it.
There is a reason why integrity is being held as single most important value in your career, among all kinds of skill sets. Because in the end of the day, people will view you in a multi-perspective picture, and they hope the picture stays the same as the perspective changes.
I have yet fully understood the significance of integrity until one day I get to see it from another perspective. In essence, I get to see how a person tried to hide facts from someone who was supposed to know them, in attempt to avoid some unfavorable consequences. While his act is understandable, it is not acceptable because he is hurting others in the benefit of himself. In such case, his integrity will be in danger, much worse than if he stated facts upfront in the first place.
It reminds me days back then, when someone promised me confidently on a task but failed to deliver. It is even worse than being incapable, because lying/boasting will not only devastate your integrity ("You are not doing what you said"), it will drag other's workflow in the team environment as well.
Now, I should stop accusing others and mention some of my bad deeds. Being an over-achiever, I once took over two responsibilities which schedules perfectly clashed on each other, one I accomplished with full passion, another as persuaded mission. While I put myself in the best light in former, I literally screwed up in the latter. I went on to abruptly quit the task with a resignation letter, and did not followed up ever since. Putting in my superior's angle, it is certainly heartbreaking and nerve-wrecking to see one of your men quitted away, rising red flags on team spirit.
Looking forward, I have been through both sides and now start to see how integrity interplays as leaving impression on others, building reputation and being a credible person. It may cause you some obstacles in climbing corporate ladder, but think deeper, is advancing by reaping others really a good idea?
Think about it.
18.10.12
Recent.
There are too many stories to tell recently. Just a couple interesting ones:
The struggled decision
I was given a very attractive full-time offer to work in an investment bank. It's all great: overly high compensation, luxurious lifestyle, numerous benefits. I had stayed hesitant and unsettled along the way since then, and yet to firmly stand out and said that:
"Heck, I am not going back there!"
Yet a best friend of mine simply reminded me what's important for this situation. Considering the fact that I don't like the nature of the job, I need to have extra time after work to do what I like. The fact is the job will be increasingly demanding and gradually eating up evening hours as the tasks demand, and the employees tend to spend their nights there. Then it is all clear! If I accepted the offer, I will be forced to work long-hours without passion, and it will consume my live. I will not be happy with that.
I repeat, I will not be happy with that.
P/S: Being happy is all it matters, no?
So the decision has been made.
The appreciated mentorship
Shortly after I inform the delegates on the rejection of offer, I met up with my former line manager. Our encounter is just so happened to be so interesting, sharing much commonalities on education, yet walking on very different path and stage of life. His brain is wired in a unique way that few could mimic but I just happen to understand, his experience is unparalleled to my peers.
It was well appreciated that he shared his endeavors, his knowledge, his views on the current world to me even though I put upfront that I am not going to work under him in the future.
Just a few key topics:
A bad academia practice - merely circulating papers across different journals in hope to increase article count, but bringing no real value to research.
Views on current world - social unrest without clear direction, increasing demands on sustainable energy, in need of disruptive technology in energy sector, wealth inequality in countries regardless of economy development.
Personal advice - It does not matter which kind of companies that you join, but knowing which area you are heading to.
The struggled decision
I was given a very attractive full-time offer to work in an investment bank. It's all great: overly high compensation, luxurious lifestyle, numerous benefits. I had stayed hesitant and unsettled along the way since then, and yet to firmly stand out and said that:
"Heck, I am not going back there!"
Yet a best friend of mine simply reminded me what's important for this situation. Considering the fact that I don't like the nature of the job, I need to have extra time after work to do what I like. The fact is the job will be increasingly demanding and gradually eating up evening hours as the tasks demand, and the employees tend to spend their nights there. Then it is all clear! If I accepted the offer, I will be forced to work long-hours without passion, and it will consume my live. I will not be happy with that.
I repeat, I will not be happy with that.
P/S: Being happy is all it matters, no?
So the decision has been made.
The appreciated mentorship
Shortly after I inform the delegates on the rejection of offer, I met up with my former line manager. Our encounter is just so happened to be so interesting, sharing much commonalities on education, yet walking on very different path and stage of life. His brain is wired in a unique way that few could mimic but I just happen to understand, his experience is unparalleled to my peers.
It was well appreciated that he shared his endeavors, his knowledge, his views on the current world to me even though I put upfront that I am not going to work under him in the future.
Just a few key topics:
A bad academia practice - merely circulating papers across different journals in hope to increase article count, but bringing no real value to research.
Views on current world - social unrest without clear direction, increasing demands on sustainable energy, in need of disruptive technology in energy sector, wealth inequality in countries regardless of economy development.
Personal advice - It does not matter which kind of companies that you join, but knowing which area you are heading to.
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