How do you spend your weekends amid your busy schedule?

I generally spend my weekends with my wife and our family and occasionally we have dinner out with friends. The weekend for me is a time to rest and relax.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I think over a long period of time I have contributed to Lilly's ability to discover and develop new medicines.

I think that my greatest contribution has been staying the course on a strong commitment to R&D during some very difficult years for our company. That's what I'm proud of.

What are your hobbies?

I like tense sporting events - NBA basketball, football. I like playing golf and I like to read.

What is the saying you like the most?

One that's on my mind right now is a quote of John Lennon: "Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans."

What are your most treasured possessions?

I don't have many treasured possessions except my family members. There's nothing I have that I would say are treasured possessions.

Who is your icon?

I would say the person I'm most fascinated with is Winston Churchill.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd get more exercise.

What is the quality you most admire in a person?

Humanity.

What do you value the most in your friends?

Loyalty.

What kind of "green" lifestyle do you have?

I walk to work every day. It's about a 5-kilometer round trip.

Name places in China that impressed you most and those you have not visited but want to explore.

I've seen relatively few places in China but every place I have seen has impressed me.

I have to say I was very taken by my first visit to the Forbidden City and also to the Great Wall - just the history and the longevity of both of those.

You know the Great Wall is the only thing that can be seen from outer space, only man-made thing, so it's really one of the wonders of the world.

What's the best way to break the ice with a Chinese businessman you've met for the first time?

Show them that you are sincere.

Give three words to describe your impression of Chinese businessmen.

Open, entrepreneurial, enthusiastic.

(China Daily 04/11/2013 page15)