This is what the former President of Microsoft in China states:
Like most rules-abiding citizens, I was amazed by Tan's audacity and blatant disregard for the truth in business and in presenting his academic records. What's most troubling is the fact that Tan led Microsoft, one of the world's leading companies doing business in China. Supposedly, Microsoft and its employees adhere to a much a higher standard of conducts than say some lowly Chinese companies that may routinely engage in frauds, bribery, copy-rights and intellectual property infringements. Unfortunately, this experience tells us otherwise.
Rules, laws, standards in business and personal practice are established to protect not only primary participants (e.g., Microsoft and its competitors) but all stakeholders in business and society. Academic credentials by themselves do not make an executive or a man/woman; they are more or less a symbol of his/her dedication to a well-established discipline of thinking and working. They do not substitute for creativity, determination, hard work, charisma and luck. To deliberately and perennially deceive others with false credentials highlight not success but a person who is lacking in self-confidence. He/she realizes his/her shortcomings but is not willing to make the personal sacrifices to undertake the discipline. I see no other reasons in the case of Mr. Tan except his own weakness to take short cuts. While he may refer to his deception as a symbol of his own success, I see it and his rationalization as a huge shortfall in his own self image and confidence as an executive and a leader. His employees can not follow such a hypocritical manager.
We have all faced situations that require us to choose between doing what is right or ethical and what may be beneficial personally. Our decisions often reflect our own character and values. I have faced such situations professionally as well. For example: as a consultant for a market due diligence company, I was pressured by my employer and other associates to engage in deceptive practices where I must miss-represent my intentions to unsuspecting job-seekers who are working or have worked in targeted, competitive companies. The goal is to deceive them into disclosing proprietary information about their current or former employers. Though the group pressure was great, I chose not to engage in their prevailing practices and relied on building a relationship with industry insiders and contacts. Ultimately, the situation became untenable, and I had to leave the company. Nevertheless, I made a conscious decision not to engage in deceptive practices to secure competitive intelligence on companies. Some may say that my decision cost me a lucrative job, but I have no regrets. We all must make our decisions based on the values that we hold dear. Our steadfast devotion to those values as exemplified through our actions and sacrifices build the character that supports our lives. For better or worst, may each person work and live as each person is called
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