Q+A | Ling Hai

Is there any event that exerted a far-reaching influence on you?

When I studied in the middle school in Shanghai during the 1980s, I was lucky enough to have a chance to attend a two-month summer camp in the United States, which was an eye-opening experience for me. My first stop was New York. I also visited several famous schools. It was then that I decided to pursue my college studies in the US.

This experience, in fact, changed my life.

Who do you respect most? Why?

Deng Xiaoping is my idol. His philosophy, which was practical and innovative, has exerted a far-reaching influence on today's China. Meanwhile, he endured radical changes in his life and took it in his stride, which is most impressive.

What kind of characteristics do you appreciate? What is your idea of an ideal employee?

I appreciate those employees who are able to deal with all types of pressure and challenges. The ability to endure pressure, I believe, is pretty important in a society full of competition.

Meanwhile, they should be self-motivated and possess the ability to surprise their boss with solutions before their need is recognized. That means they exceed the boss' expectations.

Fundamental requirements include employees' integrity, transparency and straightforwardness.

Can you use three words to describe yourself?

Optimistic, extrovert, frank. There are few things that really bother me.

What kind of books do you like? Which book impressed you most recently?

I like reading celebrity biographies but have little interest in reading novels.

What impressed me most recently was Daniel Kahneman's book Thinking, Fast and Slow.

As a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his seminal work on psychology that challenged the rational model of judgment and making decisions, Daniel Kahneman is one of the most important thinkers.

He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble. The book transforms the way you think about thinking.