On November 15th, Huawei’s “Growing in Guns, Rain, Rain, and Rain†public lecture series was invited to Peking University, one of the most prestigious institutions in China. In front of hundreds of students from the university, Professor Tian Tao, a management consultant at Huawei, delivered a keynote speech titled “Small People Create Big History.†The talk was filled with youth stories, reflections on the future, and sparked lively discussions among the audience.
The following is a transcript of the speech:
Dear teachers, dear friends, good evening everyone!
The topic of my talk today is “Small People Create Big History.â€
I began observing and studying Huawei from a distance in 1999, including its founder, Ren Zhengfei. Over the past five years, I conducted extensive interviews with Huawei employees across multiple levels, collecting nearly 5 million words of material. From this, I gained a deep understanding of Huawei's 30-year journey—a long march marked by challenges and perseverance.
Today, Huawei operates in over 170 countries, and wherever there are people, there is Huawei. It is ranked 83rd on the Global 500 list. Let’s take a look back at how Huawei reached this point.
Cultural Genes of Huawei
In 1987, a middle-aged man named Ren Zhengfei, driven by ambition, founded Huawei Technologies in a small residential building in Shenzhen. With an initial capital of just 21,000 RMB, he started with three employees, selling switches for a living.
Despite his humble beginnings, Ren had a grand vision. He wasn’t just chasing profit—he saw business as a means to achieve something greater. This idealism attracted a group of young intellectuals, many of whom were 20 years younger than him. Together, they shared a common motto: "Impoverished but ambitious."
They also shared several key traits:
1. Idealism Driven by Hunger
During the Cultural Revolution, many intellectuals lost their dreams and opportunities. When reform and opening-up began, this generation found a chance to rebuild their ambitions. Ren Zhengfei and others like him were driven by a strong desire to create and succeed.
2. Heroism Driven by Hunger
Huawei’s history is full of heroes. Ren Zhengfei had a strong sense of leadership and courage. His mindset influenced the entire company, creating a culture of confidence, innovation, and boldness. This spirit can be seen in the stories told in books like “Growing in the Guns, Rain, Rain, and Rain.â€
3. Strong Learning Ability Driven by Hunger
Even before 2000, Huawei recruited engineers from top universities, but it wasn’t easy. Many of these individuals learned quickly, mastering communication technologies through hard work and dedication. They studied not only technical skills but also literature, history, and philosophy.
4. Unshakable Optimism
From the start, Huawei faced tough competition from Western companies. Despite being small, Ren Zhengfei remained optimistic. He believed in the power of perseverance and vision, which helped Huawei grow from a small startup to a global leader.
5. Embracing Systems, Rules, and Processes
These values formed the foundation of Huawei’s early success and continue to shape its culture today. With 180,000 employees from 165 nationalities, Huawei has created a powerful team that has reshaped the global communications industry.
Next, I want to share five key forces that helped Huawei’s small group of people create a big history:
The Power of Will
Ren Zhengfei and his team showed incredible determination. Even during difficult times, they never gave up. Their willpower was essential to Huawei’s growth and success.
The Power of Innovation
Huawei focused on research and development, investing heavily in technology. It has the largest R&D team in the world, with operations in dozens of countries. This focus on innovation made Huawei a global leader in telecommunications.
The Power of Rules
Huawei follows strict global standards and processes. It learned from Western companies like IBM and BT, adopting best practices that helped it expand internationally.
The Power of Values
At its core, Huawei is driven by customer-centricity, a striving spirit, and a commitment to hard work. These values have guided the company through decades of growth and change.
The Power of Critical Force
Huawei constantly reflects on itself, embracing self-criticism and open dialogue. This helps the company stay agile and responsive to changes in the market.
Conclusion
Professor Tian’s insightful and philosophical talk left a lasting impression on the students. It offered valuable lessons on the importance of vision, resilience, and values. The speech inspired everyone to think about their own goals and aspirations, showing how small individuals can make a big impact.
As we reflect on Huawei’s journey, it becomes clear that its success stems from a combination of vision, hard work, and a deep commitment to its values. This story serves as a reminder that even the smallest efforts can lead to great achievements.
Ultimately, Huawei’s story is not just about a company—it’s about the power of human spirit, the strength of collective effort, and the enduring belief that small people can indeed create a big history.
Thank you all for your attention.
Shanghai Janetec Electric Co., Ltd. , https://www.janetecelectric.com