名校励志英语演讲 第188期:一切皆有可能(10)

 　　There was a time in my Avon career when I was passed over for a promotion¹ to be the CEO. I had a job offer to be the head of another company, but a woman I respected gave me some good advice. She told me always to follow my heart, not my head. So I followed my heart and stayed at Avon. In the end, I got the promotion, but most important, I have always loved my work, and that has made all the difference.

　　在雅芳我曾经错过了一次晋升为首席执行官的机会，那时我可以成为另一家公司的领导者。但一位令我尊重的女性给我提了一些很好的建议。他让我听从内心的选择，而不是头脑的。于是我听从了内心留在雅芳。最终，我获得了晋升，但重要的是，我始终热爱的我的工作，这才是最主要的。

　　The next distinguishing quality of leadership is Compassion²—caring about people. In my four years as CEO at Avon, I've had to make some tough decisions and difficult calls -eliminating jobs and closing factories. Actions that affect good people. The horrible part of the job. But I believe we demonstrate compassion and treat people fairly, with respect and dignity during those tough decisions. And it is the responsibility for those of us wanting the privilege of being tomorrow's corporate³ leaders to honor the commitment to compassion and the protection of the human spirit, in spite of the pressures and demands of business today.

　　领导力的第二个特质就是有同情心；关心别人。我在雅芳人首席执行官的四年里，有时不得不做出一些艰难的决定和通知，例如取消某个职位或关闭某个工厂。这些都会伤害一些无辜的员工，这也是工作中残忍的一面。但我相信在做这些决定时我们表现出了同情心和公平性，以及对他人尊严的尊重。尽管面临商界的压力和要求，但那些希望成为明天企业领导者的人有责任怀有对人类的同情心，有责任呵护他人的心灵。

　　Along with compassion comes Humility⁴. Many people are surprised to learn this is one of Avon's core values. None of us has all the answers. And all of us must listen to each other, because listening makes us stronger.

　　作为领导者，除了要有同情心，谦卑心也非常重要。许多人在得知这是雅芳的核心价值观之一时感到很惊讶。我们没有人能回答所有问题。我们必须相互倾听，因为倾听让我们更强大。

1 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

2 compassion   

n.同情，怜悯

参考例句：

• He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
• Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。

3 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

4 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。