The 3Qs of Success: Speech at the Naming Ceremony of Li Ka Shing Building at Hong Kong Polytechnic University

hkn

The 3Qs of Success: Speech at the Naming Ceremony of Li Ka Shing Building at Hong Kong Polytechnic University [Copy link]

The 3Qs of Success: Speech at the Naming Ceremony of the Li Ka Shing Building at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

I am very happy to be with you all here today. Under the careful leadership of Chairman Wu Ying-sheung, members of the Board of Governors and President Poon Chung-kwong, the Polytechnic University has successfully shouldered an important mission for higher education in Hong Kong. PolyU has a long history. Its predecessor was a polytechnic that trained professional and technical and management talents. It is also the cradle of small and medium-sized enterprises. Many of its graduates have become the backbone of various industries. It has made an indelible contribution to the growth of Hong Kong. It is a very meaningful thing for me to contribute to the development of PolyU. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the University for naming this magnificent building after me.

You may not know that when I decided on the topic of today's speech, my colleagues immediately discussed it and different analytical arguments followed. Some said that 3Q alone is not accurate, 5Q is more practical, and some said that infinite Q (nQ) is the absolute summary. To be honest, I am not a scholar, and I am not giving an academic report today. What I know is absorbed from books and magazines, but my knowledge and insights are accumulated from my own experience and observation. Is there a universal formula for a successful life?

Everyone can have great ambitions and lofty dreams. The difference lies in whether or not one has the ability to realize these dreams. When dreams come true, will one be more motivated on the steps of success? When dreams are shattered, when one is unable to win, when one is unable to turn defeat into victory, will one be trapped in the shackles of pretentiousness? Or will one fall into despair and frustration of having nothing to look forward to? No matter how knowledgeable or successful a person is, he or she must resist the cold wind of fate. Although my career development has been relatively smooth, like everyone else, whether I like it or not, I also have unattainable dreams, things that I cannot do, words that I cannot say, anger, dissatisfaction, and tears when I am sad.

Life is a big, complex, and ever-changing subject. We use rational intelligence quotients (IQ) such as analysis, calculation, and logic to solve many problems; we use emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) of understanding and self-control to face problems; and we use spiritual intelligence quotient (SQ) of pursuing excellence, value, and inspiring self-improvement to overcome problems. In my personal experience, it is necessary to continuously improve these 3Qs. IQ, EQ, and SQ are all important: academic and professional knowledge enables us to thrive in all walks of life; understanding of ourselves and others' environment can bring out empathy between people and strengthen the team spirit of family, school, and organization; the ability of careful thinking and discernment drives our pursuit of meaning and value, promotes creativity, transforms experience into wisdom, and moves forward calmly in good and bad times.

Today's global economy is obviously not good, and all the setbacks experienced in daily life seem even heavier. Unfortunately, there is no panacea that can take effect immediately during economic transformation, and no one can guarantee you how long the problems you face will last. Only smart and wise people can see that today is not yesterday and know that they have to bear irreversible changes. Although there is no way to decipher today, they will not solidify in pain and self-torture, and will not be obsessed with the gains and losses in front of them every day, and will not calculate the pros and cons in front of them every day, because they know that facing, thinking about, and breaking through problems positively every day is an important part of a rich life and accumulates the most valuable wealth for life. Even though their situation may not change due to their own subjective efforts or will, they have already overcome the bitterness of life and made all preparations to turn crisis into opportunity.

Dear friends, everyone wants to have a secret book of success. Some people spend their whole lives trying to find this book, but successful people are constantly compiling their own book. I hope to share this with you here today. Thank you.

(Li Ka-shing, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Cheung Kong Group and Hong Kong Hutchison Whampoa Group Limited)