What should we pay attention to when recruiting talents?

Zeng Guofan pointed out that the ancient people's evaluation of the generals' materials is often mysterious and there is nothing to compare. All kinds of advantages are concentrated in one person, and there are no shortcomings. I'm afraid this is an exaggeration in history books, not a moral character that a general must possess. On the whole. We should not stick to the rules in measuring talents, and we should not be too harsh and trivial in commenting on things. Don't throw away a few thick logs because of a little decay, and don't run away the big fish because of a few small meshes.

Choose talents. Should have both ability and political integrity, seniority, eclecticism, bold choice. Only in this way can we make talents complete. However, in practical work, it often happens that people are selected and employed in the order of seniority. Some even become the habit of some leaders. According to Zeng Guofan, such talent selection will bring three major drawbacks:

First, there is no distinction between virtuous and foolish. People have different talents. And people's time, minutes is not bad, if step by step, such as giving them jobs, it will inevitably lead to the same position but different talents, unequal ranks and abilities. Some can get twice the result with half the effort; Others don't want to do it, get twice the result with half the effort; Some even perfunctory, inadequate, not just failure. When things are done, all parties should cooperate. Since people who are reluctant to perfunctory are bound to advance to the left and retreat to the right, they will be loose before and tight after, and they will be anxious and slow down. So, where can we start? Zhang Dexiang in the Song Dynasty, "silent all day long, if you can't speak", has always been famous for governing by doing nothing, and he actually became prime minister step by step. In the Southern Song Dynasty, Chen Liang accused this method of employing people: "Everything must be discussed, except for granting qualifications, talents are abandoned, and those without talents are steadily advanced; Words are wasted because of pedantry, and words are soft; Singularity refers to horizontal theory, and mediocrity corrects the code. " If we all follow the mediocre people like Zhang Dexiang step by step, the country will be weak, the people will be poor, and the "Chaogang" will be lost.

Second, the rewards and punishments are unknown. Ye Shi, a general conference doctor in the Southern Song Dynasty, once said that if the selection of talents is only "a few days, all the candidates will be admitted to the capital" and "the veteran will enter, and the qualified will move again", then "whether the sages are mixed or not makes no difference", and people can only do nothing. Because. Although promotion cannot be used as a means of reward, it is undeniable that promotion itself is really a trust and reuse for those who are talented and meritorious, and it can really inspire people, especially those who are ambitious, enterprising and ready to show their great ambitions at any time. Therefore, the ancients said, "Great sages don't wait for the second time, and great evils don't wait for the second time." Otherwise, it will lead to the confusion of unclear rewards and punishments and the lack of legal system.

Third, block the only way. "Limited to qualifications, the road to taking people is narrow; If you are unqualified, you will take the wide road. " Selecting people in the order of seniority, "being a monarch first, then a minister", "being an advanced mountain gate as a teacher, being a backward mountain gate as a disciple" will inevitably make saints flinch and capable people avoid it. Because a wise man is knowledgeable, he could have shown his ambition. Now he has to wait year after year, like a beggar, so he has a "ten-year cold window" Moreover, the world is very big and there are many places to live. If there is no food in this mountain, he will go to other mountains. During the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang attached great importance to this issue. He never cares about his personal background and qualifications. Most of his civilian commanders came from the grassroots, and some even entrusted them with heavy responsibilities when they first came to defect to the enemy. For example, after Chen Ping surrendered to Liu Bang, he was immediately appointed as a lieutenant to protect the army,' and to show it to the whole army and establish prestige. Because of this, people with lofty ideals all over the world are scrambling to defect and try their best. In the Song Dynasty, Wei Jia took the biennial Jinshi Examination, with Ouyang Xiu as the examiner. When he read Su Shi's Theory of Criminal Loyalty, he couldn't help saying, "You won't feel sweaty after reading Su Shi's book. Come on! The old man should avoid the road and let him go first. " Su Shi came from behind. Shine on you was better than Lan and became a literary giant in the Northern Song Dynasty. If Ouyang Xiu chooses people with qualifications, how can the fledgling Su Shi "get ahead" and come from behind?

Since seniority has great disadvantages, as a leader, we must find ways to get rid of it. Just like Zeng Guofan, you should be "eclectic" so that your career can develop.

Zeng Guofan's selection of talents is often bold and eclectic. Xue Fucheng, Zeng Guofan's right-hand man in westernization, entered the Tseng shogunate through this eclectic way of seeking talents:

Tongzhi four years (1865), interrupted 12 years, after obtaining the Jiangnan provincial examination, Zeng Guofan, the new governor of Liangjiang, personally presided over it. Zeng Guofan, after having obtained the provincial examination, received the book "On Zeng Hou Shu" presented by Xue Fucheng, the top scholar of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. In his voluminous book, Xue Fucheng put forward eight suggestions, such as "cultivating talents, expanding farmland, promoting reclamation, controlling bandits, improving people's livelihood, improving coastal defense and changing dynasties", and attached specific implementation measures to each suggestion. The whole statement was clear and fluent, and Zeng Guofan was greatly praised. He was summoned soon. During the conversation, Zeng Guofan learned that Xue Fucheng had read the classics and not only had great ambitions for governing the country. But also has real talent and practical knowledge in reforming internal affairs and diplomacy. So, I don't think that Xue Fucheng is not good at stereotyped writing, but just a down-and-out scholar, who immediately took over his personal curtain. Since then, Xue has lived up to expectations and has been following Zeng Guofan's southern expedition to the north, which has been highly valued by Zeng Guofan. In the first month of Guangxu 16th year (1890), Xue Fucheng became the ambassador to Britain, France, Italy and Belgium, and later he was promoted to the position of an imperial minister of the left vice-governor. He was recognized as a giant who talked about current affairs with a lot of political comments and lectures.

Another right-wing Xuan is also quite legendary when he enters the curtain:

When Zeng Guofan was ordered to organize group training and recruit talents, "Xiangxiang Qiwei is extraordinary, striving for fame and success, shoulder to shoulder, pointing out the country." Luo Xuan was one of the first people to recruit Zeng Men. Legend has it that at that time, hundreds of people registered in the camp every day. Zeng Guofan summoned them one by one to ask about the length, and those who were slightly talented stayed. One day, Zeng Guofan met many people and was too tired to see the guests. While I was sleeping, I suddenly heard a noise outside. I got up and looked out of the window, but I saw a young man who was not tall and only wore a light coat, and was stopped by the guard. Young people have a loud voice. Extraordinary temperament, but in any case, the janitor will not let go. Young people are not discouraged and will not give up until they see Zeng Guofan. At the time of stalemate, Zeng Guofan pushed the door and called the gatekeeper, saying to the young man, "You must be an extraordinary person to listen to your bright and mellow voice." Then introduced to the position of the guest of honor, two people chatted. The young man who dares to enter the military gate is surnamed Luo, named Xuan, and the word Boyi is from Xiangtan. His father Ruhuai, in the 17th year of Daoguang (1837), paid tribute, worked as a tutor of Zhijiang studies and was a candidate for cabinet book. He is famous for his knowledge, and he is the author of Hunan Commendation Record. Luo Xuan was born in Huisu, and his poems are all books, so he can follow his father's footsteps. Among all the students, I ranked first many times. He Changling was a famous minister who advocated practical application and led the Hunan poetry circle for hundreds of years. He was highly valued by Deng Xinhua Xianhe, Shen Daokuan and others who were famous for their "distant family style". Subsequently, Zeng Guofan immediately decided to let Luo Xuan take charge of the secretary and return the daily paperwork to him.

When Zeng Guofan led the Xiang army eastward, Luo Xuan wanted to resign because he was old, but Zeng Guofan wrote to invite others to court and said, "Today I went to the province, hoping to strike today, and Ran Hui realized. Qu Li's guess is not wrong. Toad is wrapped in sand, but it can't do it. It's windy in Yu Tu and windy in Wan Li. Scholars have their own aspirations and are irrelevant. Never, never! Pray, pray, pray! " . Xianfeng 56 (1855~ 1856) was the most difficult period for Zeng Guofan. Although my schedule is very busy, our troops live in Jiangxi and the salary is not wide enough. From time to time, they were attacked by the Shi Dakai Department of the Taiping Army, and often moored on ships. Needless to say, they rest and their lives are sometimes in danger. In order to gain the trust of the imperial court, it is necessary to report military priorities regularly. Luo Xuan, on the other hand, is a rare talent, because he is both civil and military and inseparable. Every time Zeng Guofan plays the hydrophobic, Luo Xuan writes like flowing water. Sometimes, "it is dangerous to call the police suddenly." Luo Xuan is also "willing to live and die together." And often adjust the contradiction between generals, so that each has its own meaning. In six years, Shi Dakai, the King of Wing, entered Jiangxi and captured Rui, Lin, Yuan and Ji. Fu Jian county, the provincial capital alone. Luo Xuan led the Xiang army to attack Jianchang and the city was broken. However, the Taiping Army reinforcements suddenly arrived, and the company Huang Huchen died, but the city was not captured. So Zeng Guofan ordered him to attack Fuzhou, and when he arrived, he realized that Ceng Guohua, Liu Tenghong and others attacked Ruizhou from Hubei, and Zeng Guofan ordered him to attack Ruihe from Fuzhou. In ruizhou, Luo Xuan, Liu Tenghong fought a life-and-death battle with the Taiping Army, winning all eight battles and winning the battle of ruizhou.

Cao Cao is also a master of employing people in this field.

Chu Xu is just a strong man in the country. As soon as he arrived at Cao Cao's command, he was worshipped as a captain and rewarded handsomely. He really lived up to his great trust and fought bravely. He laid down his life many times to save Cao Cao's life in times of crisis, just to answer the sentence "There are many loyalties in ancient times, and there are many shameless people in the cold." The real way to choose talents is not to choose people based on their family background, so that the "lowly people" with outstanding talents stand out. On the other hand, some leaders today often make the mistake of "learning from others while losing weight" in practice. Liu Zongyuan once asked: If a national official must come from an official family, should he be used even if he is useless? As a civilian, is it necessary to abandon even if he is worthy of the heavy responsibility? Then, when appointing an official, should we take his talent or his surname? So we should learn from Cao Cao's courage and courage in selecting talents. At a national civil service examination and recruitment meeting held in Xi 'an, many farmers were elected to the civil service.

In fact, many people from humble origins have been promoted to be a generation of heroes in history. As early as the Spring and Autumn Period of the Western Zhou Dynasty, Shang Tang Assistant Minister Yi Yin, who had worked as a chef, was recognized as a hero by Shang Tang, and was promoted to the position of Prime Minister, making Shang Tang dominate the world. Dr Prissy of Qin used to beg for a living. He used to be a doctor, but he was captured by the state of Jin when he died. As a courtier, he was sent to Qin to feed cattle in Qin; After going to Chu, he was redeemed by Qin Mugong with five black sheepskins, and was called "Doctor Wuyang". GongSunZhi recommended this person to Qin Mugong, and asked him to be appointed as a tongue minister. Qin Mugong didn't understand Priscilla, who said he could get five sheepskins and even appointed him as an official? Isn't it laughed at by the whole world! Gong said that if you are a smart person, the world will think that your king is smart and your subjects are obedient. Who will laugh at you? Mu Gong uses it as a doctor. With the help of Priscilla, Mu Gong managed the country stronger and stronger. This example shows that as long as talents, no matter how humble their origins, should be entrusted with reuse. Those who use "colored glasses" to select talents will only waste talents.

Therefore, as Zeng Guofan said, the selection of talents cannot be based on qualifications.

Cao Cao is an excellent leader who selects talents regardless of generation. He and Yuan Shao's brothers had a sharp conflict on whether to choose talents or not. At that time, the 18th-Route warlord was beaten out of the water by Dong Zhuo's general Hua Xiong in front of Si Shuiguan, and no one dared to take the fight. Guan Yu volunteered to behead Hua Xiong and give it to Li Shimin. Yuan Shao asked who he was and what position he held. Gongsun Zan introduced Guan Yu as an archer who followed Liu Xuande. Yuan Shu immediately became furious and said, How dare you bully me without a general? With a pony archer, you are talking nonsense here. Call me out. Lombardi also embellished, saying that playing horse archers would be laughed at by Hua Xiong. Cao Cao tried his best to stop the Yuan brothers, insisted on letting Guan Yu play, and told people to "drink a cup of hot wine" to show their strength. Guan Yu just "stopped to be brave and chopped Hua Xiong with warm wine", and made "Wei Zhen Gan Kun's first contribution". Cao Cao was very happy at this time, but Yuan Shao was still furious and drove Guan Yu and Zhang Fei out of the tent. Cao Cao refutes Yuan Shao, and those who have made meritorious deeds should be rewarded. Why care about birth and seniority? Then, send wine and meat to Liu, Guan and Zhang to comfort them. Here, Cao Cao's idea of selecting talents according to seniority has been fully demonstrated, and yuan brothers's old concept of meritocracy has also been vividly demonstrated. Two different views on talent selection have laid a convincing foreshadowing for the downfall of yuan brothers and the victory of Cao Cao.

The ancients once pointed out: "Qualification is the harm of employing people." Qualification, a soft knife, has killed many useful talents through the ages. In ancient China, it was almost passed down from generation to generation. People only looked at seniority and past achievements, and seniority was based on privilege. Today, leaders of many enterprises unconsciously put on "colored glasses" when selecting middle-level cadres and managers, and select talents based on their qualifications, so that people of insight in enterprises are not promoted and appointed. It cannot be said that these enterprise leaders still have the color of feudal literati in the concept of selecting and employing people. A society, an organization, only recruits talents. It will become rigid and solidified, and it will lose its vitality, thus stopping its progress. Cao Cao's selection of talents reveals this truth.

Similarly, to be truly eclectic, we need to choose talents without taking age as the standard.

Young people are not necessarily burdened. Most of the civilian military commanders selected by Cao Cao are handsome young men. Xun was only 29 when he took refuge in Cao Cao. Due to repeated meritorious service, he was promoted from Sima to Shangshuling. At the age of 27, Guo Jia was worshipped as a drink offering by Cao Cao. Cao Cao and Guo Jia talked about the world and were deeply impressed by their intelligence. Guo Jia followed Cao Cao 1 1 year and made many brilliant achievements. Except Cao Cao, Sun Quan of Soochow mostly used young people. Zhou Yu was in command at the age of 33, and the old minister of Soochow was unconvinced. Cheng Pu, the oldest, was appointed as a lieutenant, and he was even more dissatisfied. Cheng Zi came back and told Cheng Pu that Zhou Yu had a way to transfer troops. Cheng Pu was surprised and praised him. He was a pro-camp apology. In the face of facts, Cheng Pu had to admire Sun Quan's talent. Lu Su was only 20 years old when he defected to Sun Quan, but he was able to give full play to his talents and made great contributions.

These historical examples all illustrate a truth: as long as you are smart, you can take on heavy responsibilities at a young age, and it is completely feasible to do great things.