Reflection: A Major Lesson for Supervisors

Author: Long Zimin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: When I need a talent, even if it means losing my personal dignity to beg for them, I will not hesitate. Perhaps I might even flatter them. – Napoleon
"Talent wins the world, while losing talent means losing the world. Whether in the ancient history of rivaling heroes or in the modern business warfare without gunpowder, this timeless proposition is proven true. Politicians say: 'Appointing people to tasks is the key to governing chaos.' Military strategists say: 'Victory or defeat in war depends on the general. Choosing a general cannot be taken lightly. Ignoring the talented, knowing them but not using them, or using them but not entrusting them, are three ominous signs for a nation.' Before employing people, the first step is to recognize talent. To obtain talent, one must first learn to identify it. Therefore, how to recognize virtuous and talented individuals in the vast world and the endless sea of people remains a significant challenge for modern people.
The hardest thing in the world is to identify talent. The Southern Song Dynasty Prime Minister Zhang Jun did not understand the art of recognizing talent but claimed to be good at it. He believed Qin Hui 'was upright in opinion and had a stern and cold face, unwilling to do wrong,' even affirming that Qin Hui was a 'talented person' who 'dared not die for the world's affairs.' Thus, he vigorously recommended him, leading to countless scandals. Conversely, Han Xin brought the four hundred-year Han Dynasty to Liu Bang, and Zhuge Liang helped Liu Bei, a man who sold mats and shoes, become a king. Therefore, mastering the methods of observing talent is highly beneficial, whether for public matters—appointing officials, distinguishing loyalty from treachery—or for private matters—finding teachers and friends, and protecting oneself from disaster.
Today, talent is equally important. For businesses, capital, technology, and management are all indispensable. Among these, people play the most core role in management, and technology is most directly reflected in talent. As for capital, with technology and management in place, who fears not finding money? People can either establish a business or destroy one. The saying 'It is easy to gather a thousand soldiers but hard to find a worthy general' has been true since ancient times. However, few leaders are truly able to go beyond superficial processes to achieve this, and even fewer succeed in their careers by recognizing and utilizing talent effectively. Here, the author attempts to..."