启明星人| 创始人蔡金勇：什么样的人才更能适应今天的环境？

启明星人 12/20

加入一个社区的理由可以有很多，但最能让我们对它产生归属感和认同感的，往往是它包容、暖心的小环境。

启明星就是这样的社区，20年来，大家受到启明星的感召加入它，又共同塑造它。

正值启明星创校20周年之际，我们决定走近20个“启明星人”，展示他们的故事，进而呈现20年的启明星社区丰富且真实的一个个侧面：

本期《启明星人》，让我们走近启明星联合创始人蔡金勇先生：

2022年蔡金勇先生在启明星学校演讲

北京大学理学学士学位、波士顿大学经济学博士学位；德太TPG集团、世界银行集团、高盛、摩根士丹利高管；中石油独立非执行董事、环球基础设施基金GIP合伙人、怡安集团董事……世界银行国际金融公司首位华人CEO、参与制定联合国可持续发展目标……

正是这样丰富的国际教育和工作经历，还有全球视野，让蔡金勇先生和妻子Dawn Vermilya在20年前北京的双语学校寥寥无几的时候，前瞻性地创立了启明星学校，确立了培养品格高尚、拥有健康体魄的全球公民的愿景；并且20年来一路陪伴、始终坚定地支持着学校的发展。

20年后的今天，蔡先生依然是国际飞人，频繁地穿梭于各个国家、特别是发展中国家之间，考察那里的项目寻找合作机会。我们的访问就是前不久，他刚刚完成越南之行时进行的。

蔡先生从自己数十年跨国工作的经验出发，分享了关于人才发展的一线观察和思考，很有启发：

01

这是一个什么样的世代？

启明星：这些年我们身边的世界风云变幻，考虑到孩子的成长和教育道路安排，很多家长想要知道，从更高的维度来看，我们到底身处一个怎样的世界？

蔡金勇：我们遇到的是百年未有之大变局。一方面，曾经被视为“放之四海而皆准”的美国模式正面临很大的挑战，各个国家都在寻找自己的出路和解决问题的方法，各国不但有各自的问题，也有很多共同的矛盾要解决；另一方面，中国仅仅用了几十年时间脱贫，迅速强大起来，在很多领域表现出色，占据领先地位，改变了既有的大国力量对比格局，一个国家在这么短的时间内崛起，达到这样的发展程度，是前所未有的。

启明星：我们还是看到，这几年有不少家庭移民到国外，或是把孩子送到国外读书。

蔡金勇：这些家庭出于自身的考虑做出自己的决定，但我相信，他们这几年走出去，不少人过些年还是会回来的。我的工作是全球性的，在很多国家间往来，比如我刚刚就从越南回来，这让我看到了很多国际层面的东西。中国和很多国家相比，更有治理的能力和效率。

就我自己来说，我很庆幸在1990年代初回到中国，我感受到了中国这些年发生的巨大变革。今后的中国还会有很多机会，在国内或国外读书各有千秋，每个人都要自己去寻找成长机会和路径。

02

什么样的人才更能适应今天的环境？

启明星：如今的大环境对人才的要求有变化吗？或者说，什么样的人才在工作中能走的更高更远？

蔡金勇：诚实、认真、努力工作，或者说靠谱，是所有岗位对员工的期待，这是从来没改变过的。很多人重视名校背景，的确，筛选雇员时，简历上的名校背景可能成为一时的敲门砖，却不是最终的评价标准。人的智商是有差别的，但一个人在品格方面的素养才是基础，远比他的大学标签更重要。所以，启明星从创立的第一天起就强调品格教育。

另外，学生无论选择什么专业都要能够全面地看问题，学习一些基本的社会科学知识，包括经济学、政治学、文学艺术等，因为作为一名好的全球公民，需要全面的思辨能力来做判断。

03

谜一样的自驱力

启明星：现在孩子成长过程中有一个突出的问题，让家庭、学校都很困扰，就是自驱力的问题。孩子缺少发自内心的驱动力，缺乏追求卓越的热情。

蔡金勇：自驱力的问题是多种原因造成的。在亚洲的传统教育体制里，考试的频率是很高的。学生总是要应试，长时间承受压力，没有时间去思考和探索问题，就对学习失去了兴奋感和兴趣。孩子自驱力的问题在国外也有，不过是国外教育体系里撬动自驱力的杠杆多一些而已。

事实上，每个人的发力时间是不同的，不存在一个平均速度，我和Dawn从大女儿身上也感受到了这一点。我们认为，尊重孩子各自不同的发展节奏，保护他们的自信心和好奇心很重要，这也是我们创立启明星的初衷之一。

04

到处都有的焦虑

启明星：现在社会对人才的要求很高，越优秀的孩子，压力往往越大，我们到处都能感受到孩子和家长的焦虑情绪。

蔡金勇：这样的焦虑情绪在哪里都存在，中外都一样，我觉得需要反思一下：

“

1. 很多家庭有比较好的经济条件了，那么家庭应该为孩子提供的是进行更多尝试的可能性，更多体验的机会，更大的选择空间和自由，而不是更多的补习班费用。

2. 重新思考一下什么是成功。时代在变化，连衡量什么是成功的标准都变了。在后工业化社会，找到一份好工作就成功了吗？同样的，什么是好学校，什么是真正值得追求的目标？一切都在变化，我们不必用以往的眼光看待现在的问题。

”

05

父母的角色

启明星：您的3个孩子都很出色。关于孩子的家庭教育经验，我们曾经问过Dawn。她的回答是，在教育问题上，父母对于孩子的教育理念要一致，要站在同一立场上。您有什么补充吗？

蔡金勇：首先，父母要和孩子花时间在一起，在这个过程中去努力理解他们。其次，以身作则。父母的行为对孩子的示范作用非常重要，远比口头的教育有力量的多得多。比如遇到困难时，让孩子看到你是怎么做的，怎么解决问题的，而不是单纯地谈理论，光说不练。

2022年蔡先生接受启明星学生采访

访谈最后，蔡金勇先生再次强调了对中国发展的信心：“个体的成功依赖于大环境的成功。我看到的是，整个国家上上下下都是希望国家的发展越来越好。我对中国有信心，希望启明星的学生在充满不确定性的世界里，更要保持乐观坚定的心态，清醒辩证地思考问题。”

他也坚定地表达了对启明星教育的乐观和支持：“我们已经在安排参加5月份启明星第一届高中生毕业典礼的行程了。到时候我们在学校见！”

DAYSTARer 12/20

There are many reasons to join a community, but we experience the greatest sense of belonging from those with a warm, inclusive atmosphere.

Daystar is such a community. For over two decades, people have been inspired to join Daystar, and together we have shaped it. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Daystar. In recognition of this moment, we decided to interview 20 Daystar community members so that they could tell their stories and present a detailed image of the Daystar community:

Today’s post is about Cai Jinyong, Co-Founder of Daystar Academy.

Mr. Cai gave a speech at Daystar in 2022.

Bachelor of Science from Peking University; PhD. in Economics from Boston University; senior management positions at TPG, World Bank Group, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley; independent non-executive director at CNPC, partner of GIP, chairman of Aon Corporation, the first Chinese CEO of IFC, participant in formulating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)…

Thanks to their diversified international experience and global foresight, Mr. Cai and his wife Dawn Vermilya founded the Daystar Academy two decades ago when there were few bilingual schools in Beijing. They brought their vision of cultivating global citizens with good moral character and physical fitness to life. They have continued to watch school grow and offer support ever since.

Today, 20 years later, Mr. Cai still keeps himself busy flying from country to country, especially those that are developing, to help with their projects and find opportunities of partnership. Prior to our interview, he had just come back from Vietnam.

Based on his decades of experience, Mr. Cai shared his thought-provoking insights regarding talent cultivation:

01

What Kind of World We are Living in?

Daystar: The world around us is changing every day. To better help children with their growth and educational path, parents raise a question: From a broader perspective, what kind of world are we living in?

Mr. Cai: We are facing profound global changes. So, for one thing, the “one-size-fits-all” American development pattern is also facing tremendous challenges. Every country is seeking their own solutions as they suffer from both unique and common conflicts and problems. In contrast, China has spent just a few decades to shake off poverty, becoming much stronger and better in many aspects and changing the current international arena. This rise in development in such a short period is unprecedented.

Daystar: We still see many families deciding to move overseas or send their children to study abroad.

Mr. Cai: This is a decision that they make by and for themselves. But I believe many of them will come back after several years of life abroad. My job involves travelling to countries around the world. I just came back from Vietnam. This job gives me a global vision. China, compared with many other countries, does a much better job in governing capacity and efficiency.

Personally, I’m grateful that I came back to China in the early 1990s and witnessed the huge changes happening here with my own eyes. Even more opportunities await in the years ahead. Either studying in or outside of China would lead you to a bright future. So, everyone can and needs to find the growth path that suits them the best.

02

What Kind of Talents can Better 

Adjust to the World Today?

Daystar: Does today’s market ask something different of talents? Or, what kind of talents may be more successful in the job market?

Mr. Cai: Companies want people who are honest, earnest, hardworking, or reliable. This has never changed. Many companies look at whether you have graduated from a famous university. This is even something we look for when hiring at Daystar, but it’s not essential and isn’t the final evaluation criterion. People differ in academic and intellectual achievement, but their character is far more important than the university they attend. This is why Daystar has emphasized the importance of moral education since the day it was founded.

What’s more, no matter what major students choose, they must also learn the basics of social science, including economics, politics and literature and art. To be a world citizen, one must be capable of critical thinking.

03

The Mystery of Intrinsic Motivation

Daystar: Today’s children face a serious problem that worries both schools and parents – the lack of intrinsic motivation and passion for excellence.

Mr. Cai: There are many reasons for this. In traditional Asian education, students have a lot of tests and exams, so they are always under pressure and have no time to ask questions. They quickly become uninterested in their studies and lose their excitement. This also happens to students in other countries. The difference is that other education systems may include other methods that can trigger intrinsic motivation.

In fact, children have their own pace; my wife and I learned that from our first daughter. We both believe that we must respect each child’s unique pace and protect their confidence and curiosity. This is one of our founding missions.

04

Widespread Worries

Daystar: Modern society places high demands on talents. Children who perform better may even face more stress, and this stress spreads to nearly every parent.

Mr. Cai: This kind of anxiety exists everywhere, both at home and abroad. I think this is something we should reflect on:

“

1. Many families are doing better financially than before, so they should provide their children with more possibilities and chances to try and experience things freely, instead of paying for more lessons at cram schools.

2. We also need to redefine success. The times are changing, and so is the standard of success. In this post-industrial society, finding a decent job doesn’t mean success anymore. Similarly, the definition of a good school or a goal worth pursuing has changed. We need to update our own vision and judgement.

”

05

The Role of a Father

Daystar: All three of your kids have excelled. We once interviewed Dawn about the family education experience for the children. She told us that the father and mother must share an educational philosophy and support each other. Do you have anything else to add to that?

Mr. Cai: First, parents should spend time with their kids and try to understand them. Next, set an example for them. Parent behavior is the best example you can provide for a child. It is far more powerful than verbal instruction. For example, when we encounter difficulties, we shouldn’t just talk about it in theory. Instead, we can show children how we deal with and solve problems.

Mr. Cai was interviewed by Daystar students in 2022.

At the end of the interview, Mr. Cai highlighted his absolute confidence in the development of China: 

“The success of an individual relies on a successful environment. I see with my own eyes that both the government and the public in China is working to make this country better and better. I have faith in China, and I hope Daystar students stay optimistic, determined, clear-headed, and sharp-minded in this world full of uncertainties.”

Mr. Cai also expressed his optimism and support towards Daystar’s educational philosophy: “We are already preparing the commencement ceremony for Daystar’s first high school graduates in May. We will see you at the school!”

END

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