Motivated To Seek Challenges
The CEO Magazine Asia|May 2019

Raised In Difficult Circumstances, Taiwan Star Telecom CEO And President Cliff Lai Grew Up Resilient And Independent; Qualities That Have Made Him An Assertive Leader In The Industry.

Jordan Murray
Motivated To Seek Challenges

Who would you think has most inspired the leadership of Cliff Lai, CEO and President of Taiwan Star Telecom? Is it a mentor, a figure in the telecommunications industry or a member of his family? Surprisingly, it’s Sun Tzu, the Chinese military strategist who authored The Art of War, a treatise held as influential by the likes of David Petraeus and Ho Chi Minh. What does Cliff see in one of history’s most influential thinkers on modern warfare to admire?

“He wrote that war is governed by five principles,” he explains to The CEO Magazine. “They are: The Moral Law, Heaven, Earth, The Commander, and Method and Discipline.” Cliff says that he studied Sun Tzu’s concept of The Commander closely and learned how to lead in a way that was consistent while avoiding conflict. That was particularly important to him when he joined the telecommunications provider and had to map out his business strategy. “When I joined the company, I thought about how The Art of War could be applied to the business structure.

“I defined a strategy and ensured that everyone was aware that our core values were accountability, excellence and teamwork. That meant frontline employees would have a clear understanding of what they needed to do and what I expected of them, which led to them becoming much quicker and more capable of responding to their duties. It’s because of Sun Tzu’s theories that everyone in this business has become motivated to seek challenges and strive for success.”

LAYING PLANS

This story is from the May 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2019 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE CEO MAGAZINE ASIAView All
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
The CEO Magazine Asia

Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox

After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
The CEO Magazine Asia

They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do

CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Maverick Unicorn
The CEO Magazine Asia

Maverick Unicorn

Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
''Increase The Velocity''
The CEO Magazine Asia

''Increase The Velocity''

Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
Device Manager
The CEO Magazine Asia

Device Manager

Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Going Antiviral
The CEO Magazine Asia

Going Antiviral

Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Risk Vs Return
The CEO Magazine Asia

Risk Vs Return

Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Expect The Unexpected
The CEO Magazine Asia

Expect The Unexpected

For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Ultimate Investments
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Ultimate Investments

With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
The Future Of Fintech
The CEO Magazine Asia

The Future Of Fintech

Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2021