[Essay] 求鞭策 _ Ethical Dilemma

tsaiming · 发表于 2011-10-31 15:40:40

Do not have great history.
Appreciate any kinds of suggestion and opinion.
Thanks much!
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A situation where your professional ethics were challenged. (250 words)

“Is Mr. Lin around?”

“Sorry, he’s not available. I am his mother. What happened?” A lady answered.

“To redeem his mutual fund, Mr. Lin forgot to sign his name on the form. Could you please tell him this message?” I replied gently.

“Who said I want my money back?” The lady spoke angrily.

I was stunned by her response.

This lady opened an account under her son’s name five years ago. She deposited most of her savings in it only for emergency, but Mr. Lin tried to withdraw the money privately without notice. She warned me if any cash disappeared from this account, she would sue my firm fraud!

“According to firm’s policy, we have to complete Mr. Lin’s request." Although my supervisor gave me this instruction, I still felt mixed-up.

Family relationship should be second to none. Since my father passed away in my freshman year, my mother, sister and I sat together talking about our daytime adventure every night. Healthy communication completes my family powerfully. I simply couldn’t see a man breaking his mother’s heart.

Next day, I told Mr. Lin I could only proceed with his request after acquiring his mother’s agreement.

I lied.

Either the "Model Student" role throughout high school or the notorious nickname, "Mr. Perfect", in my career, I never touch the policy line. But I slept well this time, surprisingly. This case reminded me of what I truly valued: Moral and Justice.

Two months later, I checked Mr. Lin’s account. No deal records happened! I might lose my job for stubbornness, but I won my integrity.

Streeter2012 · 发表于 2011-10-31 16:18:35

好文啊~~

双钢琴 · 发表于 2011-10-31 16:44:45

mark mark mark

cannedpineapple · 发表于 2011-10-31 16:48:45

Comments in my thread (post #236): http://forum.chasedream.com/North_American_MBA/thread-429418-24-1.html

tsaiming · 发表于 2011-10-31 18:27:14

Hello Jason,

Thank you so much for your comment!
250 words really kills me.
Taking care of completeness of story, creative presentation, and unique personality is too difficult.

Actually I wrote a 900 words version (Kelley), and cut dwon to 250 one (Marshall).
If you have time, very welcome to give some points.

Anyway, I will take your words seriously and reedit my essay.
Million thanks!

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I never wished classmates regard me as a privileged guy in school because of my TV child star identity. I always reminded myself be cautious about my every movement. When I was assigned and elected as a "Discipline Leader" in my class of junior high, I reported every classmate who broke class rules. Even my good friends became victims. Not surprisingly, this “whistle blower” role had taken my dream honor, "Model Student", away from me for four years. Nevertheless, I never doubted my conviction: Honesty was always the best policy.

Although growing more mature, I still got the notorious nickname, "Mr. Perfect", in my career. This time, I didn't report my colleagues who broke corporate policy, investing in stock market under relatives' name. Even though having access to insider information, I didn't open any account under anyone else's name. Regulation was regulation. I never attempted to touch the red line.

What if one day I needed to break my golden principles of life?

I stared at the monitor in a common morning in October 2010, scrolling down the mouse to check each profile of incomplete case. Suddenly, I pulled my fingers. “Why the phone records of this mister looked so weird? His mother answered every call for him.” I murmured. Nevertheless, to finish a routine reminder, I still held my speaker and dialed to this gentleman.

“Hello, is Mr. Lin around?”

“Sorry, he’s not available. I am his mother. What happened?” An old lady answered.

“Mr. Lin forgot to sign his name on the form, to redeem his mutual fund. Could you please tell him to complete that part and then mail it back to me?” I replied gently.

“Who told you that I want my money back?” The lady spoke angrily.

I was stunned. Then I tried to cool down the lady. Five years ago, this lady opened an account under her son’s name. She deposited most of her savings in it for emergency use, since Mr. Lin had neither steady income nor a healthy financial mentality. She warned me the money belonged to her, and if I dared to let her son redeem any cash from this account, she would sue my firm fraud absolutely!

After the call, I checked the profile of both sides. As a labor in manufacturing industry, the lady, who worked very hard to earn $10,000 annually, put 20% of her salary into Mr. Lin’s account each month while not even 5% to hers. On the other side, Mr. Lin was just laid off couple weeks ago. Apparently, Mr. Lin really had the motive to transfer the money privately. How could I ignore this fact and let the deal take effect?

I went to seek advice from my supervisor. Surprisingly, she gave me a straight-forward answer. “According to firm’s policy, we have to complete Mr. Lin’s request. Furthermore, we shouldn’t jump into clients' story. Never project personal emotion to your work." I backed to my seat with mixed feelings.

I knew the relationship between Mr. Lin and his mother would never be fixed, if I did nothing upon this case. I just couldn’t see a man breaking his mother’s heart like this way.

Suffering insomnia at that night, I looked for the way out from the conflict between work ethics and life conviction. Executing the deal to finish my duty, but breaking the lady’s heart? Or, trying to stop Mr. Lin's application, but losing my job?

I firmly believe nothing could be compared to the sense of family reliability. My father passed away when I was a freshman in college. Every night before sleep, my mother, younger sister and I would sit together on my sister's bed, talking about our daytime adventure. We fully realized that this habit could connect each of us powerfully. Probably, I should make a bridge having Mr. Lin talk to his mother.

Next day, picking up the phone, I told Mr. Lin that the company found his mother was the real investor. For security reason, I could only complete the request after acquiring his mother’s agreement. "We suggest that you shall have her understanding first."

I lied.

Perhaps other colleagues would take over this case afterward. Perhaps Mr. Lin would realize my words were merely a fake. No matter what kinds of complaint he gave, I would loss my job. All my efforts would be in vain. It looked crazy I bet my job on matter of stranger’s family relationship.

However, I slept well after making such a lie, surprisingly. It seemed that Mr. Lin reminded me of what I truly valued, persistence of moral and justice. I might pay the price for my stubbornness, but I could win my self-respect.

Besides, rules are dead, but we can handle the problem flexibly. Any kinds of regulation have exception. If Mr. Lin got the money finally, his mother would become the victim. Then, the policy protected nobody but set up good guys.

I knew my choice was not well-rounded. But a voice still warmed me so much, “Either committing the deal or doing that call was fine.” My mother said. “But, you won a chance to demonstrate your courage.”

Two months later, I had checked Mr. Lin’s account before I transferred to another department. No records of deal happened! Thankfully, Lucky Goddess chose to stand by my side this time.

cannedpineapple · 发表于 2011-10-31 18:51:52

Comments in my thread: post 237.

Good luck!

[Essay] 求鞭策 _ Ethical Dilemma

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