Q & A | with Chen Jinya

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I enjoy reading and I read fast. I used to read three books a week. However, these days I have slowed down my reading speed with an intention to "deep dive" on some good books.

I enjoy sharing with people the books I read. When I find a really good book, I like to share my views on it with those who may have an interest in the subject then give each of them a copy.

Many times I have selected good books as rewards for my staff in recognition to their contribution to the company. I believe that, to a great extent, I learned the hobby of sharing books with others from Klaus Kleinfeld, our chief executive officer. I am in the process of switching to e-books because, hopefully, they are more environmentally friendly.

How do you spend your weekends amid your busy schedule?

Everywhere in the world, it seems, everyone is getting busier. I spend many hours on Alcoa company business during weekends. I would assume that my schedule is not that much different from those of others. However, whenever I have time to myself, I prefer to sit alone on a comfortable sofa to read and write. I do not like cooking but enjoy quality time with my family whenever possible.

What is the saying that you like the most?

I like the saying "No one is perfect, but a team can be". When I first heard the saying from Klaus, I was really impressed because it says fundamentally there are many common thoughts, culture and attitudes between the East and the West.

Recognizing the fact that one single person may not be 100 percent perfect, we have to agree that a real leader knows how to pull together the strengths and capabilities of every single one of his or her team members, to maximize the team's potential and to encourage everyone to pull in the same direction. That kind of winning team is almost unbeatable.

What is the thing you want to do the most but have not found time to do?

Because of the limitations to my free time, I have started to regret that I have not found sufficient time to write down what I have experienced, both successes and failures.

I am very fortunate to live in this greatest time in thousands of years of human history. I know what has made China a great country from my experiences and life related to or arising from the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976), the first college exam after the "cultural revolution", economic reform and the opening-up policy, overseas study, working in and outside China, as a farmer, plant worker, teacher, lawyer and multinational executive. I am hopeful that I will have time to write down what I know to help the younger generation to appreciate more of life.

What kind of "green" lifestyle do you have?

I enjoy walking, be it walking to the office or for a workout. Most of my family members are more environmentalist-minded than I am. I was first educated about and forbidden to eat shark fin soup by my daughter when she was 6 years old. I cannot say my life is thoroughly "green" since I use air-conditioning in summer and put the heat on in winter. Ten to 12 years ago, when I was in Japan, I climbed the stairs to my office on the 31st floor. But now I take the elevator. But I do believe in a "green" lifestyle and try to do small things to make my life "greener". For that I plant trees every year and walk whenever I can.

What is your favorite destination?

I like the ocean and enjoy staying close to it. Alcoa has a plant in Qinhuangdao, a city on the coast. Whenever I am there I am taken back to my childhood. Hopefully, I will have my ashes spread on the ocean after my death.

What's the best way to break the ice with an American businessman at a first meeting?

Communication, communication and communication. For those who work with American business people, my advice is that they should keep communicating with each other, be honest and try hard to find common ground.

This is not an issue with American business people. It is also an issue with business people from the same country. Many times, cultural, living and working differences have created distances between people. A good business person has to understand the other side and find out the points of interest of the parties instead of looking at one's own perspectives.

What are the ups and downs you cherish most in the life?

I have leaned to enjoy the process, not the result only. What I cherish the most in my heart is a famous saying: "Ninety-nine percent perspiration, 1 percent inspiration".

Luck does play some roles in one's success but process decides the results. Enjoy the process. In this way, one may experience many ups and downs but one will not be spoiled by success or killed by failure, since they are there every minute. Ups and downs are part of life.

(China Daily 07/07/2011 page16)