One day, a recent college graduate visited a retired senior leader who was now living at home in retirement. He asked, "Senior, how can I become as accomplished, respected, and successful as you—someone whose life has been brilliant and who enjoys security in old age?"
The elder replied, "Let me share my story with you."
"When I first started working, around twenty years old, I had energy and knowledge. I worked passionately and vigorously, doing everything 'with sound and color'—loud, visible, and impressive. Naturally, I achieved remarkable results and eventually earned the recognition of my superiors.
Later, when I moved into a leadership role in my early thirties, I had vitality and wisdom. My career began to flourish. I managed my responsibilities 'with sound but no color'—achieving strong outcomes without seeking attention or fanfare. Everyone spoke highly of my work, and higher-ups were quite satisfied.
When I became a top executive, still in the prime of my strength, I possessed courage and vision. From top to bottom, I handled all organizational matters 'without sound but with color'—quietly and unobtrusively, yet clearly effective. Honors poured in, and both leaders and staff rallied behind me.
Then later, as the head of a large enterprise group, past fifty, with capability and experience, I managed every internal and external matter 'without sound and without color'—smoothly and seamlessly, leaving no trace of effort. The company reached an unprecedented level of development and rose to become one of China's top 500 enterprises.
Now that I've stepped down, look at me—every day I tend to flowers, feed birds, and live leisurely. I have no regrets in life."
The young graduate listened, utterly confused.
The elder continued, "Young man, let me tell you from half a lifetime of experience: One who can do work 'with sound and color' has energy; one who can do it 'with sound but no color' has vitality; one who can do it 'without sound but with color' has courage. But he who can do it 'without sound and without color'—he is truly capable. That is the highest realm of getting things done."
Achieving the state of "no sound, no color" reveals a person's mindset and defines their true depth of character.