Is it possible to become successful without selling out on your principles or ethics? Award winning Chinese actor and director Liao Fan, tells us how he’s never compromised his beliefs in order to get ahead.
What do you see as the true meaning of success?
I think success is an affirmation of a dream. But, to a certain degree, success must include giving something back to society. If you cannot share your success with others, this success is a failure or it does not in fact exist.
How important has the help of others been in achieving your dreams?
I am so grateful to all the people who have supported and encouraged me. Especially a friend of my fathers who really helped me a lot after I graduated. He was someone who set a very high standard for himself and his respect for me professionally gave me a lot of motivation to work hard. He also inspired me to help others, by showing me the happiness you can get from supporting someone else to succeed.
To be able to help others is a very good thing and taking pleasure in helping people has always been a tradition in China. I think in today’s society, we should promote this spirit more – helping people without asking for anything in return or not having oneself as the starting point.
Do you think businesses built to create positive change, not just profit, can thrive in China?
There are many enterprises that are already doing this. Business is an important driving force for society and more and more people in business have realised that it is important to give something back to society and help others. I think it is a trend that will keep growing and gradually, all businesses will treat it as a priority.
