Start from the grassroots

Author: Hu Xiaohui / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Success starts with small things! Every small task is worth doing, and it should be done with heart. Completing small tasks successfully gives you a better chance of success in bigger things. Climbing step by step ensures you won’t easily fall. The secret to gaining true strength through work lies in this. Many people are easily ambitious and disdain doing daily chores. In reality, leaders assess you by starting with small tasks. Therefore, no matter how trivial or unrelated to your responsibilities the task may be, you must handle it promptly and enthusiastically. Even if the leader doesn’t follow up, you must provide a reply. Only by gradually earning their trust and recognition can you hope to "achieve big things." Start with small tasks and don’t let their size deter you.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is a great example. When he first joined the company, as an African American, his only option was cleaning. Yet, he performed this unappreciated job with precision. While working, he summarized his experiences and quickly discovered a method for mopping floors that was both fast and efficient, with minimal strain. Powell’s performance caught the attention of a meticulous boss. After observing him for some time, the boss determined he was a talent and broke the norm to promote him. Many years later, when Powell wrote his memoir, he still remembered the life lessons he had accumulated: "Take every small task seriously." Due to his relentless effort and dedication to every detail, treating each task with 100% passion, he rose from a cleaner to become Secretary of State.
Many people yearn to discover their value and achieve success, yet they often overthink instead of starting with simple tasks, losing many opportunities to showcase their worth and seize chances for success. Wise people never shy away from doing small things—they embrace them. They understand that success starts with small steps, and they hold high aspirations. To accomplish great things, one must have lofty ambitions. This allows them to soar higher and farther. However, it’s essential to know that before taking flight, one must build a solid foundation. Only by accumulating knowledge and experience in daily life can we fly steadily in the future. And during these ordinary days, we must learn to wait.
Guan Wei, the CEO of Digital China, is an exemplary figure for us to learn from. When Guan first joined Legend (Lenovo), he was an employee with an MBA, but his first job was to open doors for leaders and carry luggage. He didn’t complain, starting with small optimizations and climbing the ladder step by step, eventually becoming a senior leader at Legend.
We must start with small tasks and do every job conscientiously. The principle is simple: opportunities often appear suddenly and unexpectedly—you may spend your entire life without realizing which moment is a chance. Take the initiative to handle tasks like cleaning, organizing the office, or fetching water. Don’t underestimate these trivial chores.