At the Wuhou Shrine in Chengdu, China, the tomb of the Three Kingdoms hero, Liu Bei, can be found. As someone who has been a Three Kingdoms enthusiast since childhood, my recent visit has left a deep impression. In particular, upon reflection, it seems that the Three Kingdoms have had the greatest impact on my life, encompassing people, books, movies, travel, and more. I now realize that profound truths about life were embedded in the intriguing stories I simply enjoyed as a child. Here are some thoughts that have surfaced over the past few days, drawing on the Three Kingdoms.
1. The world may seem vast, yet in some ways, it is remarkably small. It is important to cultivate friendships and value one’s reputation. Even in the past, figures like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were childhood friends of Liu Bei, and strategic advisors such as Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, and Zhuge Liang were acquainted with each other. Examining the backstories of contemporary successful entrepreneurs and celebrities reveals that many of them have interconnected relationships dating back to their childhood.
2. The unwavering loyalty shown by exceptional talents like Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei was a result of Liu Bei’s approach to people, which was 90% of his success, in my opinion. Recalling the leaders I have encountered in my professional life who failed to earn respect, I realize that many of them focused on using their team members to make themselves look good, rather than trusting and empowering their team members. While this approach may yield short-term success by exploiting subordinates, it is challenging to maintain this approach over the long term.
3. After mistakenly killing Ye Bajun and his entire family due to misunderstanding, Cao Cao declared, “I would abandon the world before the world abandons me.” Running a business sometimes requires making tough, rational decisions. While the degree of detachment may vary, there is much to learn from the concept of preemptively eliminating potential sources of future trouble.
4. The story of Yue Jinmasong, who tearfully had to ultimately kill his beloved general Ma Su to enforce strict discipline, highlights the importance of setting non-negotiable standards within a flexible organizational culture. These standards should not be influenced by personal friendships or past achievements. Many companies have implemented policies such as internal anti-sexual harassment regulations, which align with this principle.
5. In the past, all the characters in the Three Kingdoms were much older than me, but now, there are more who have passed away than those still living. (Tears) For example, notable historical figures like Zhuge Liang, Ju Yi, and others died at the age of 35. To ensure that there is no shame in today’s actions, it is important to live a life of purpose.