How do you spend your weekends amid your busy schedule?

Outside of business, running.

What are your hobbies?

Running.

What is the saying that you like the most?

Never give up.

Who is your icon?

In the business world, it's Andy Grove. He was the chairman of Intel back in the late 80s or early 90s. Andy Grove, fabulous chairman, fabulous.

What is the book you are reading now?

A book called Leadership - Thinking, Being, Doing by a gentleman called Lee Thayer. It's an excellent leadership book.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

That's a difficult question. When I can be really engaged in something, just really, really involved and engaged, man, I tell you, that's the best.

What is your greatest fear?

My failure.

What is the quality you most admire in a man?

Honesty.

What is the quality you most admire in a woman?

Ah, my wife? I don't know if that's a quality, but I really admire her. She is very honest as well.

What do you value the most in your friends?

Trust.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

I've got a pretty big nose.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I've got a very successful family. They are just fabulous. I've got great kids, a wonderful wife.

In the business world, I would say, you know, what I've achieved, to be able to run a third of the company, because Asia is 30 percent of 3M. What an accomplishment! If you had asked me 10 years ago or 20 years ago whether I would still be sitting right here, I would have said "Not a chance". So I am very honored, very honored. And it's quite a success.

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

I would like to be a better listener. I could listen better.

What are your most treasured possessions?

I love books. I really love them. I buy books. I don't always read them all, but I like to have them. So, I guess, I'll have to say books.

On what occasions do you lie?

Oh, man. I try to avoid lying. Nothing good comes from lying.

What kind of "green" lifestyle do you have?

I am a good recycler. When I go to Japan and I see they hardly waste anything. They have nowhere to throw anything away. I think they really have set a very great example. So I try to do my best at recycling. Hong Kong has eliminated plastic bags for groceries. Just bring your own bag. Great idea. And so we've been doing a lot of that. I think that's probably best.

What's the best way to break the ice with Chinese businessmen?

I think for Chinese businessmen it's about the relationship. So you want to make sure that you're treating Chinese businessmen with a high degree of respect. Listen carefully and understand their meaning. It's not always easy to understand what they mean but I think it's very important to work on that.

What kind of experience has shaped your thoughts the most?

I would say I worked in the electronics industry for a number of years as part of my experience. It's a very challenging business environment. And I would say that if you can compete in the electronics industry and be profitable it teaches you a lot both personally as well as in the business segment.

(China Daily USA 05/30/2013 page15)