Learn from Wei Xiaobao: How to survive in the workplace

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In Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, there is this character who makes me laugh heartily and whose memory lingers with me. Though he came from humble origins, he managed to navigate both the imperial court and the martial world with ease, having no obstacles in his path. He served as an official, dated women, acted as a hero, and became rich overnight… In short, he enjoyed every kind of fortune and all the advantages life had to offer. He is Wei Xiaobao from The Deer and the Cauldron. 　　Looking at it today, Wei Xiaobao’s success seems somewhat accidental. Without any background or connections, without extraordinary martial arts skills or extensive knowledge, nor being particularly hardworking, it was no coincidence that Wei Xiaobao was able to thrive in the complex business world and achieve success. This was because he had his own unique ways of surviving, namely his exceptional skill in handling interpersonal relationships. 　　Economic interests are the lifeblood of the workplace. Wei Xiaobao spends money freely, not only because he knows how to make money, but also because he understands the philosophy of the workplace well – economic interests determine everything. He was generous to his subordinates, distributing silver coupons freely; he was kind to his colleagues, sharing the wealth obtained from their official positions; and he showed loyalty to Kangxi by donating a large sum of money for disaster relief. He instructed Shi Lang on the proper way to give gifts: a laugh was enough; everything was conveyed without words. 　　Workplace insight: If you listen to money, it’s a bad master; if money listens to you, it’s a good servant. Wei Xiaobao’s ability to handle money is truly remarkable, but first and foremost he is well aware that it comes at a cost. In the workplace, no one really hates money; even if they do, it’s just an act. Therefore, the distribution of economic benefits is crucial; one must not make the leaders too envious, otherwise they will cause trouble for you, nor should one let subordinates feel too aggrieved, otherwise they will report you. Whoever is taken care of, even if no one mentions it, will still feel grateful; whoever is treated poorly, however, will face obvious threats as well as hidden ones that are hard to defend against. It’s important to use facts to communicate, but this should be done in a way that suits each individual. Wei Xiaobao said, “Thieves like you—how could you possibly tell the truth? If you say there are over nine thousand, it’s actually at least nineteen thousand.” ”With a thud, he slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “How many people are gathered at Wangwu Mountain?” Yuan Yifang could tell from his tone that the higher the number he gave, the more pleased the young general would be, so he replied, “I heard… I heard there are about thirty thousand people in total.” ”Wei Xiaobao said cheerfully, “Yes, that’s much better.” ” 　　Workplace insight: One must have a clear purpose when doing anything. Wei Xiaobao exaggerated the number of rebels in order to take credit before Kangxi, and also to shift the blame for the crimes onto Wu Sangui by going along with Kangxi’s wishes. Conversely, in order to boost morale, he had to do the opposite with his soldiers, cutting their numbers in half at least. By the same logic, when describing the same event, whether you are addressing your boss or your subordinates, the approach must change completely. Achieve one’s goals by using different ways of expression and communication skills. Remember, this isn’t about using any means necessary; it’s just that it varies from person to person. 　　The more backdoor options, the better. Wei Xiaobao can be considered a model of someone who takes on multiple part-time jobs; there are countless titles he can have printed on his business card – from being the first-class Lord Ludeing of the Qing Dynasty, to the leader of the Qingmu Hall in the Heaven and Earth Society, and even to the White Dragon Envoy of the Divine Dragon Sect. He accepts anyone regardless of whether they belong to the good or evil side, taking on all such roles without hesitation. Such a person who is adaptable and knows how to adjust to changing circumstances probably never has to worry about losing his job! Career insight: Wei Xiaobao always puts risk awareness first; he thinks things through carefully, acts with composure, and ensures he has a backup plan. In case of an emergency, he turns around and runs away; no matter how dangerous the situation, no matter what happens, bad things never happen to him. People in the workplace need to be extra cautious. A true expert is one whose company goes bankrupt today, allowing them to go work somewhere else by tomorrow. It is definitely sound advice to make use of one’s professional position to build up a network of contacts. Perhaps it is precisely because of this good habit of \"keeping a backdoor,\" that Xiao Bao is always able to laugh last. Even if Xiao Feng resigned, Linghu Chong was fired, and Yang Guo changed jobs… Xiao Bao could still maintain a position in the upper levels of the workplace. This has nothing to do with the level of martial arts skills. The reason Wei Xiaobao was able to succeed is mainly that he possessed the qualities needed for success. He was never hesitant in carrying out the tasks assigned to him by his superiors, and he always succeeded regardless of the methods he used; this made Kangxi treat him with great indulgence, even turning a blind eye to his involvement with the Tiandihui and the Shenlong Sect. So, if you want to do things well and secure yourself a safety net, you should act like Xiao Bao: excel in your work and strengthen your skills, while also building good relationships with others, so as to maintain a good reputation among both leaders and colleagues.