Speech on Labor Heroes, 1945.
The Three Major Roles of Labor Heroes
(1) The Role of Leading by Example: You have raised the standards of production and work, setting a model for others to follow. The masses look up to you. (2) The Role of Core Cadres: As the saying goes, “A good man needs three helpers; a skilled worker needs three associates.” You have united the masses and carried forward production and various tasks. (3) Labor Heroes Serve as a Bridge: You play the role of conveying information upward and passing it down. You bring up the experiences and opinions of the masses; then, after attending meetings at higher levels and participating in discussions, if you find something beneficial, you take it back to inform and guide the people.
However, there is one point we must be mindful of: do not become conceited or look down upon others. At last year’s Conference of Labor Heroes, I mentioned “washing one’s face” and “sweeping the floor.” It is best for labor heroes to cleanse themselves of their shortcomings every day—these shortcomings are like dust. I hope everyone will pay attention to correcting their faults, strive to learn what they still lack, and continue to be recognized as labor heroes year after year.

--- Notes

Speech on Labor Heroes, II-17
II-18
Selected Historical Materials on Finance and Economy of the Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia Border Region during the Anti-Japanese War. Shaanxi People’s Publishing House, 1981. June Gong and the Report of the Conference of Outstanding Individuals, 1945. January 11. Chairman Mao’s Report.