Grace Cheng (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer
In today’s world, where concepts of values are often disregarded in pursuit of convenience or expediency, I have chosen to hold a set of moral principles that govern my conduct. The values of good work ethic, honesty, integrity, compassion and reliability are not nice phrases to write with a pen, but are guidelines that I make a conscious effort to follow in my everyday life. I have utilized my own experiences and examples to demonstrate this.
Good Work Ethic: Going the Extra Mile
I have demonstrated a strong work ethic by consistently going the extra mile to ensure tasks are completed to the highest standard. At work, I never settle for doing the bare minimum; instead, I proactively seek ways to add value and support my team. For example, when faced with tight deadlines or unexpected challenges, I willingly put in extra hours and take initiative to solve problems before they escalate. My colleagues know they can rely on me to finish projects on time and deliver quality results, even when it means staying late or taking on additional responsibilities. This dedication not only helps my company succeed, but also builds a culture of trust and mutual respect within the team.
Honesty: A Matter of Perspective
Honesty is being candid about the facts, even when they are awkward to admit. The first time I truly practiced honesty was at the proposal phase of a funding application. I pointed out an error in our budget that would have dramatically underbid the client and conveyed a wrong impression about the scope of our proposed project. It was uncomfortable to point that out and might have delayed securing the contract. I had to do the hard work of explaining what went wrong, offering a fair adjustment and accepting some responsibility for the error on our part. The client responded well to our candor. My team learned to double-check its assumptions. Our relationship with the client endured, well-nurtured by the fact that we had not held back the truth.
Integrity: Leading by Example
Doing the right thing is what integrity is all about, even if nobody is looking. For me, it is making sure my actions match what I believe in and what is important to me. I try to make choices that reflect my values, no matter what others think or what might happen as a result. When I do this, I feel more confident in who I am and I earn the respect of those around me. When I am faced with tough decisions, my integrity helps me figure out the right thing to do. By being true to myself and my values, I build a reputation for being someone people can trust and count on to be fair and honest.
Compassion: Empathy in Action
The concept of compassion has impacted my interactions with other people, as it is helpful not only to consider the feelings of others, but also their needs and to strive to support them. I attempt to put compassion into practice by listening, being present and offering support to friends, family and co-workers. This means showing empathy by doing something to alleviate suffering or brighten someone’s day, or volunteering and helping people in the community, or helping a co-worker be better, or even just offering a few kind words to someone.
Reliability: Being a Dependable Kind of Person
It is important to me to be a dependable person. I maintain that in order to build relationships and work with teams, one must be reliable. And when I promise to do something, I commit myself to make it happen. That is, I keep my promises, show up on time and communicate in advance if anything changes in my plans. You can count on me to stand by my word, both in small situations and larger matters. This reliability is an important part of my personal reputation, and makes others feel secure in trusting me.
Living according to my moral code is a steady journey. I have opportunities daily to display a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity, compassion and reliability. By using my own life examples, I hope to show that these principles are not empty platitudes, but instead active teachings that lead a life toward meaning and value.
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Grace has an accounting and finance background. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, watching movies and playing sports.