Shi Dakun's reflections find echoes in the experiences of figures like Tang Jun and Kai-Fu Lee. After reaching the pinnacle of world-class enterprises, Shi Dakun wonders: where does his true value lie?
What value can I bring?
There is a common saying among Chinese executives in the United States: "Once you reach a certain level, you either return to China or start your own business." Due to cultural differences, even those who have spent years in multinational corporations often struggle to communicate seamlessly with top management. Shi Dakun believes that one must embrace the world in one's heart to become a world-class manager. But where in the world can these Chinese executives truly feel at home?
In 1988, at the age of 37, Shi Dakun took office as the General Manager of GE Japan. The Japanese manager meeting him at the airport was momentarily surprised; he had expected a Caucasian executive. This led to the following dialogue:
"Are you American?" the manager asked, perhaps feeling a slight sense of imbalance that a Chinese person would hold such a position.
"I am here to help you," Shi Dakun replied.
"How long have you lived in the United States?" the other continued to ask.
"How long I lived in the U.S. is not important; what matters is that I can be of assistance to you," Shi Dakun answered.
Having held various roles in multinational corporations for 28 years, Shi Dakun believes the most crucial personal adjustment involves self-perception and sense of purpose: "Why am I here, and what value can I provide?" Whenever he takes on a new role, he starts by asking himself these two questions. On April 5, 2005, when Motorola announced his departure from the position of President of China to focus on business development in the Asia-Pacific region, Shi Dakun once again found himself contemplating these very questions.
Regarding career changes, Shi Dakun once told the media, "I believe that on the journey of life, there are certain things that are not entirely under our control. More accurately, Most things in life are actually beyond our control."
