CEO of Tsingsoft.com.cn 清软创新科技有限公司 (energy forecasting and management software system), Liu Mei 刘梅, spent some time with students from Nanyang Girls’ High School to share her personal story on how the big and small experiences of her life shaped her into becoming a leader in her industry.

Unlike many of the stories you may hear from Westerners, especially that of Americans who are go-getters from a young age, Liu Mei had a very simple childhood with simple cares. “I didn’t know my dream in the beginning.  It just became clearer over the years.”

She didn’t enter computer sciences by design either, but simply because computers was “hot” and everybody else seemed to be getting into it.  What did set her apart was her drive in solving problems.  She would not stop until she got the answer.  She also soon found out that she was really good at programming which boosted her confidence in an industry filled with men.

However, one of the aspects Liu Mei knew she was lacking in was in her EQ (emotional quotient). “I believe when you’re young, you assume that what affects you affects everyone else in the same way.”  This was a key insight because in order for her to be a capable leader, she needed to be able to see things from various perspectives. Indeed when asked what makes her company successful, Liu Mei said, “At the end of the day, it’s all about the people.”

Another hard earned lesson came as she was adjusting to married life and her initially strained relationship with her mother-in-law.

“There are many situations you may not like but cannot change. But I found out that  if you change yourself, you change the situation.  So therefore, to change the situation, all you need to do is change yourself.”

Jubilee Christian Academy finishes their amazing race in Shanghai with a shout, a whoop, and a holler as the Expo’s mascot, Hai Bao stands in the background.  It was a tiring and pressure filled day but the stress of the event was welcome as the students navigated the streets on their own, worked out the trickiest problems and really learned how to travel instead of just being tourists.

To top of the day, the students had to muster up their remaining mental strength to present their business plans as ably as possible, with guest judge Dr. Andrea Stith from Jiao Tong University walking away impressed by the ideas and thoroughness of their planning.  One group in particular stood out, gaining favour both from the judges and from the students.

Most impressive to TLE however was the character, integrity, and heart of these students.  Their fighting spirit was evident throughout the trip, showing temerity when it was needed, showing joy when the loss was to one better than them. Above all, the way they carried themselves and had a heart for one another (and even strangers around them) made us believe that the world is only better for having them in it.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version Bible