Photos courtesy of www.independent.co.uk, www.nbcnews.com, dalocollis.files.wordpress.com, www.catneverdie.hk, www.japantimes.com, www.extremetech.com
IN FOCUS
Occupy Central with Love and Peace pro-democracy protestors paralyse Hong Kong’s financial district
WHAT’S YOUR WORD WORTH?
It is said that we are only as good as our word, writes Peter Sherwood. Is keeping agreements then the foundation of trust and integrity? Most of us believe we keep our word, but do we really?
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f you don’t believe in the power of broken agreements to cause anger and chaos, try wars, divorce and civil and corporate litigation. And think of the huge Hong Kong pro-democracy demonstrations. The protesters’ anger is not due to a sudden yearning for democracy, but because it was agreed in Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
One of the Basic Laws’ stated aims is to introduce universal suffrage for the election of the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive following ‘nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee’. Nothing about that committee having to be anointed by Beijing. The protest represents a furious reaction to a broken agreement.
Out of integrity I tell young graduates, “If you want to be outstanding, do everything you say you will do, and on time. Be meticulous about it. If you are unable to follow through, renegotiate your agreement. You will shine because most people do not keep their word.” And I can prove it. November 2014
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