



"Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. You think about it; it’s true. If you hire somebody without the first, you really want them to be dumb and lazy." - Warren Buffett.



Storyline:

Temujin, or Genghis Khan as we know him, was a great thirteenth century Mongol warrior who had conquered more land in 25 years than the Romans did in 400 years. In the process he connected many civilizations from Europe to Asia. He abolished the old system based on special privilege for the rich and introduced a more equitable system based on qualifications and accomplishments. He lived the simple life of a nomad, distributed his wealth to people and established a fair system based on law and order.

In war he was ruthless but in friendship he was kind. He valued loyalty as a very important trait in people.

In the early 13th century, the Mongol forces finally defeated their archrival Jamuka once and for all. Jamuka fled to distant mountains with some of his soldiers. The life in exile was very difficult and hard to handle for soldiers who had prospered under Jamuka and were used to life of affluence. Unable to cope with the harsh life, they tied up their leader and took him to Temujin hoping for amnesty and a handsome reward.

Guess what Temujin did to those soldiers?

Temujin executed them all.

But to his opponent he was gracious, and asked Jamuka to join him.

Reflection:

For Temujin, loyalty was not selective for good times and richness only. What do you think those soldiers would have done to him if he was having tough times?

It is in the bad times that a persons’ loyalty is truly tested.