Does everyone have a moral compass?
According to Merriam-Webster, a moral compass is defined as “a set of beliefs or values that help guide ethical decisions, judgments, and behavior: an internal sense of right and wrong.” It aligns with my personal understanding that moral compass is a neutral noun representing a collection of values and beliefs that subconsciously guide our daily behaviors.
I believe that personal integrity and a good moral compass are interconnected. Individuals with a good or immaculate moral compass tend to possess personal integrity, while those with a broken or misguided moral compass often lack it. As every individual is an essential part of society, the moral compass of each person significantly influences the collective social conscience.
In constructing my moral compass, I draw inspiration from the wisdom of the Confucian tradition, which has deeply influenced my upbringing. From a country with five thousand years of glorious history and a big traditional Chinese family like the one you can see in film and television works portraying ancient times, I was introduced to texts such as “The Four Books and The Five Classics” from a young age. Because my family is highly influenced by Confucianism, I was also required to recite the Analects of Confucius every day before primary school.
An old saying encapsulates the profound influence of Confucian teachings: “半部论语即可修身齐家 治国平天下,” which translates to “half of the Analects of Confucius can make you put your mind in the right place, thus improve yourself; accordingly, you can manage your family. After your family is managed, you can govern your states and bring justice and virtue to the world. In the Confucian tradition, the Analects of Confucius are revered as a foundational text, emphasizing the cultivation of virtue, harmonious relationships, and a just society.
I was a child born with ‘critical thinking.’ It was challenging for me to embrace the memorization of ancient texts, especially because I couldn’t understand the meaning behind those obscure words, or even some ideas I disagreed with when I was little. As I grew older and gained more life experiences, I began to comprehend the wisdom and beauty encapsulated in the works of the sages and the rules handed down by my family.
While I sincerely appreciate the enduring golden values that form the bedrock of my moral foundation, I also acknowledge that certain aspects of traditional teachings are outdated and need to be eliminated. For instance, an excessive focus on establishing a strict hierarchical system and the oppression of women no longer align with the values of equality and justice that I hold dear. Nonetheless, I’m very grateful for the tools and mindset I have acquired during the process, which allow me to continuously adjust my moral compass as I absorb new information and engage in critical reflection.
There are specific tenets that have crystallized within my moral compass. I will share them in the following section.
Moral Compass Elements
Moral Vision
To me, every day is a good day, and all the days construct a good life. Because almost every moment is shaped by the decisions I make. As a mature individual, I hold myself accountable for my choices and accept the consequences they bring. If unfavorable outcomes arise, I view them as opportunities for growth and strive to improve in the future.
Many people find motivation in the phrase “Live Each Day as if It Were Your Last” to pursue meaningful actions and make every moment count. Maybe it’s because I’m not an ambitious person.
Even spending the whole day doing nothing but basking in the sunshine and feeling the wind and the sounds around make me feel fulfilled. And I’m not highly productive many days, but I don’t feel afraid of death the next day or immediately.
However, I do envision a scene in the last days of my life where I lie on a hospital bed, surrounded or not by people, feeling an inner peace as I prepare to depart from this world without regret or guilt towards anyone or anything. This realization interprets the phrase mentioned above in a different way for me, as it serves as a reminder to strive not to fail or harm others.
My pursuit of this moral vision is primarily shaped by the teachings of the Analects of Confucius and the wisdom passed down within my family. Additionally, various literary, film, and television works have had a profound influence on me. For instance, the masterpieces of Victor Hugo explore a wide range of emotions and themes, delving into the depths of human nature, social injustice, and the power of redemption. Similarly, the works of Leo Tolstoy provide penetrating insights into the human condition, portraying characters’ inner struggles and intertwining philosophical musings with intricate narratives. Movies such as Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Pursuit of Happiness have also subtly resonated with me, although it is challenging to express the exact nature of their impact.
Moral Code
There are four key principles that guide my daily behavior. Most of them are from the Analects of Confucius. Different people have different interpretations, although there are some shared values in it. I’ll translate them into English with my own understanding.
1. 慎独: This phrase emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself, regardless of external judgment. It encapsulates the notion of self-discipline.
2. 己所不欲勿施于人: Known as the Golden Rule, this principal urges treating others with the same respect and kindness that one desires for themselves. It aligns with the idea of empathizing with others’ perspectives.
3. 吾日三省吾身：为人谋而不忠乎？与朋友交而不信乎？传不习乎？: Reflect daily and ask yourself three questions: Whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been not faithful. Whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been not sincere. Whether, I may have not mastered and practiced the instructions of my teacher.
4. 无友不如己者: This principle can be interpreted in two ways: don’t befriend people who are not as good as you, or you can always find strong points in your friends.
5. In summary, I strive to be friendly and honest in my interactions with others and choose to surround myself with individuals who inspire and challenge me.
The first half may make me sound like a good silly person. But my friends recognize me as someone with strong principles that are evident at first glance. If faced with an unreasonable request, I have no hesitation in refusing it. Likewise, when I encounter someone in need, I readily extend a helping hand. If I receive an unreasonable request, I will not hesitate to refuse it. I will also not hesitate to give a helping hand when I see someone in need on the street. Not because I consider myself a virtuous person, but because I hope to receive similar assistance when I am in a difficult situation. I believe the first step to making a better world is fulfilling one’s own responsibilities, followed by assisting others when the opportunity arises, thereby minimizing the burden left by others and fostering a better society.
For the second half, it specifically applies to my personal situation, acknowledging the need to seek external sources of inspiration to force myself to keep growing. I have the aspects that I emphasize, such as intellectual, moral, and artistic cultivation. I can also understand that almost everyone has at least one aspect better than me, such as cooking, playing video games, or knowledge of cars or sports. Overall, I think it is very important to carefully select the people you want to be around.
I acknowledge that some of these rules make my life more challenging and burdensome. Still, I firmly believe that the benefits outweigh the difficulties, as they ultimately contribute to achieving my moral vision and provide a sense of inner peace.
Moral Fitness
Engaging in self-reflection before falling asleep has become an integral part of my daily routine and aligns with my moral code. Additionally, I have been practicing meditation regularly, which aids in the cultivation of my character and integrity. During my high school years, I actively volunteered, although my family does not follow any particular religious traditions. Nevertheless, I find myself naturally drawn to religious subjects, such as rituals and architecture, whenever I encounter them. For example, during a month-long visit to Lhasa, I was deeply moved by the devoutness of Tibetan Buddhist followers, particularly their participation in lengthy prostrations. Embracing an open-minded attitude towards different races, cultures, and religions is an essential aspect of my moral fitness.
Defining Moment
I would like to share a moral challenge that led to a clear affirmation of my principles in conducting business.
During my first year of college, I joined the public relations department of the student union. In this role, my responsibilities involved maintaining and acquiring new sponsors. For the biggest event of the year, I reached a corporation with a local bank and signed an agreement where they provided gifts for the event, and our department helped promote their business with quantity and time requirements. Knowing that this task was sensitive for college students, I checked with my seniors, and department heads many times to make sure we would meet the bank’s expectations. I even crafted tasks and procedures for each member to make it easy for them to complete. The event unfolded successfully, with my efforts being the primary driving force behind the sponsorship.
However, as the bank’s deadline approached, I found that no one else in our department cared to do their tasks. When I approached the head of my department, he casually mentioned that, as students, we would not face strict consequences from the bank. He suggested that even though we only met 30% of the target, we could pretend it wasn’t a significant issue, offer an apology, and retain the funds and gifts. I was deeply shocked. This was not in line with my principles of doing business. So, I dedicated myself to meeting the remaining target to minimize the client’s loss and refunding a portion of the sponsors’ contributions that we were unable to fulfill.
Moreover, I sincerely apologized to the client because I failed his trust. Eventually, I left the department because I realized that, despite my extensive efforts, I couldn’t change the prevailing mindset. I can be a good salesperson because I believe I can create value for our customers. Deception had no place in my approach. I firmly believe that good business relies on both competence and integrity.
I have no desire to rewrite any part of my life. There are many things we only really learn by experiencing them. What has happened shaped me and made all the lessons profound.
Your Future as a Conscientious Leader
As I envision my future as a conscientious leader, I understand that leadership and business are intertwined with personal values and ethical challenges. I know there are many gray areas, especially in the finance industry. So I prefer to choose roles that have minimal involvement with them, such as research or due diligence for the buyer side. To be an effective leader, I must critically evaluate my personal values in relation to the prevailing norms and standards of the business world.
Reflecting on my past experiences, such as the moral challenge I described above in the business aspect, I also have encountered situations that tested my ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. For instance, I faced difficulties collaborating with local volunteers while volunteering in an African country.
It was a formal volunteer job where we had a contract listing that I would give local school kids lessons partnered with a professional film NGO. After I arrived and just before the core classes started, the local volunteers who initiated the contract told me that the collaboration got canceled for no reason. They didn’t even try to fix it. Such actions left me and my fellow international volunteers shocked and disheartened, perceiving the local volunteers as insensitive and irresponsible.
Despite our initial disappointment, we fixed the problem by designing new teaching materials to ensure the children could still benefit from our presence. However, I wasn’t really getting rid of my mixed and not-good feelings for local volunteers at that time. Only after several months did I get my a-ha moment. I came to realize that our differing backgrounds, values, and moral codes had influenced our perceptions and responses to the same situations. There is no ultimate universal rule in every part of the world. What the local volunteers did was just very regular in their behavior system and values. This realization compelled me to adopt a more empathetic approach, recognizing the importance of understanding and embracing alternative ways of thinking to effectively address challenges in the future.
In my future as a conscientious leader, I will rely on my moral compass to confront similar challenges. Upholding the values of competence and integrity, I will strive to create a work environment that fosters inclusivity and encourages open dialogue among individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Leading by example, I will promote transparency, ethical decision-making, and the recognition of each team member’s inherent worth. Through these efforts, I aspire to inspire my colleagues to align their actions with moral principles, cultivating a culture of integrity and ultimately contributing to the growth and success of the organization.
Reflection
My key takeaway from this assignment is the appreciation for my cultural background and the wisdom traditions that have influenced my values and beliefs. As an international student, I have often questioned how to navigate different cultural expectations while staying true to myself. Through this essay, I have realized that deep in my heart, I prefer to embrace my Chinese cultural heritage and allow it to guide my behavior regardless of my surroundings. It has reaffirmed my commitment to integrity, self-discipline, and treating others with respect and empathy. I have learned that being a conscientious leader means staying authentic and true to my moral principles.
This assignment helped me understand the strength and wisdom that my cultural background offers in managing ethical challenges and fostering human values as a leader. It has empowered me to lead with authenticity and make a positive impact based on my unique cultural perspective.
Overall, I now understand the significance of my cultural identity and how it can shape my future as a conscientious leader.
