Shigehiro Oishi, a psychology professor at the University of Chicago, suggests that the most deeply satisfied individuals are those who lead psychologically rich lives filled with novelty, challenges, and transformative experiences. These experiences include traveling to unfamiliar places, diving into different cultures, tackling complex hobbies, navigating major life changes, and embracing challenges. These experiences shape us, broaden our perspectives, and deepen our sense of self.
After hearing Oishi’s on a podcast, and reflecting on my own life, I realized I had just lived through an experience that fits perfectly into his description of enriching life. A seemingly small moment led me on an unexpected intellectual and geographical adventure, along with meaningful connections and stimulating conversations with fascinating people.
A Coffee, a Book, and a Doorway to the Past
More than a year ago, I met Valentin de Miguel. On paper, the meeting was about exploring how my keynotes and workshops could add value to his company. In reality, the conversation became an adventure in itself. Every conversation, after all, can turn into a journey. We connected deeply and exchanged ideas. In the spirit of sharing wisdom, I gave him a book that profoundly shaped my own life. Everlasting Optimism by my mentor, the humorist Lenny Ravich.
A year later, Valentin returned the favor, inviting me for coffee and, in a surprising twist, handing me a book that would take me on a life-enriching journey I never anticipated. The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman.
A journey in my Imagination
Opening its pages was like stepping into a time machine, taking me through centuries of history and across continents, from Baghdad to Bombay, Shanghai, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and America. The book revealed the extraordinary journeys of two legendary Jewish families, the Sassoons and the Kadoories.
One of their most iconic investments of the Kadoories was The Peninsula Hong Kong, which opened in 1928 as the flagship of their growing hospitality empire. In Shanghai, they invested in the Majestic Hotel, a grand establishment that became a key part of the city’s social and economic landscape. Their ventures reflected a vision that blended East and West, shaping the fabric of these vibrant cities.
Both families played a crucial role in saving more than eighteen thousand Jews from the Holocaust by helping them immigrate to Shanghai. Their efforts were aided by Ho Feng Shan, the Chinese diplomat at the embassy of China in Vienna, who bravely issued visas that allowed Jewish refugees to escape the death camps and find safety in Shanghai. These families shaped commerce in China, endured wars, built fortunes, and, most importantly, used their wealth to uplift and save lives.
As I explored the book, my imagination soared. I was not just reading. I was there, walking through nineteenth-century Shanghai, witnessing cultural shifts, sensing the tension of war, and admiring the resilience of those who endured. The contrasts were striking. Extreme poverty stood beside opulent wealth. The brutality of conflict was met with acts of immense generosity.
The Sassoons and Kadoories helped shape Shanghai into a global commercial hub. Their influence extended beyond trade into banking, real estate, and hospitality, leaving an imprint that lasted for generations.
The Sassoons, often called the “Rothschilds of the East,” introduced European luxury to Shanghai. They built the Cathay Hotel, now the Fairmont Peace Hotel, which became the city’s premier social hub. It hosted lavish parties and welcomed international dignitaries, setting the gold standard for elegance in the region.
The Kadoories who have owned The Peninsula Hong Kong since its opening in 1928, have developed high-end properties, including the Majestic Hotel in Shanghai, a landmark of modern luxury that attracted the city’s elite. They also invested in the Shanghai Gas Company, contributing to the city’s infrastructure and development. Their ventures blended grandeur with service, reinforcing Shanghai’s status as a thriving business center.
Their story was about much more than prosperity. It was about survival. The Kadoories and Sassoons endured unimaginable hardship during the Japanese occupation. Their businesses were seized, their families displaced, and their very existence was at risk. Still, they remained resilient. They provided aid to those in need, offering shelter to refugees and supporting their communities.
When Mao took power, fortunes built over generations were restructured. The Sassoons relocated to the West, while the Kadoories remained in Hong Kong, reinvesting in hospitals, schools, and infrastructure. Their belief in business as a force for good ensured that their impact would continue for generations.
The two families responded differently. Victor Sassoon chose to leave Asia, relocating to the West and focusing on new ventures. The Kadoories, on the other hand, remained committed to Hong Kong, reinvesting and rebuilding in the place they had long called home. Instead of withdrawing, they strengthened their belief in business as a force for uplifting people. They invested in hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, creating opportunities and shaping the future. Their vision, generosity, and commitment ensured that their impact would continue for generations.
The Sassoons and Kadoories were more than business leaders. They built legacies by shaping cities, funding education, and creating pathways for countless individuals.
An Adventure within an Adventure
Then, my curiosity led me beyond the pages of the book. A meeting in Hong Kong with Derek Parkin, the Chief Operating Officer of CLP, presented an adventure. Another great moment of connection.
Derek, a fourth-generation miner who started working at 14 and was the first in his family to receive a formal education, shared amazing stories that captivated my imagination. When there was a strike, and miners from another mine tried to block his way by physically lifting his car and turning it around, he simply reversed and broke through the blockade. I shared how, as a teenager, my basketball team and I would lift a Mini Minor from one side of the street to the other after practice. We had a great moment of laughter like kids swapping mischief tales.
From the Book to Reality:
When I mentioned the book, Derek immediately saw the significance. Without hesitation, he arranged for his chauffeur to take me to the CLP Museum, where I walked through history in real life, absorbing the tangible impact of the Kadoorie family.
The Kadoories: A Lesson in Vision, Courage, and Generosity
Beyond their business expertise, the Kadoories possessed something even more valuable. Wisdom and foresight. Laurence Kadoorie recognized that China was on the path to becoming a global superpower. With foresight, he made a bold decision to invest in its energy future. They invested a billion dollars in a nuclear power plant, not just for profit but for progress. Their commitment to trust, pragmatism, and long-term vision allowed them to build strong relationships across cultures.
A pivotal moment in this relationship came when Laurence Kadoorie met Deng Xiaoping. At a time when China was opening its doors to economic reform, Laurence Kadoorie engaged in discussions with Deng about the future of Hong Kong and China’s modernization. This meeting was more than a diplomatic formality. It was an exchange of ideas between a leader shaping a nation and a businessman who believed in the transformative power of economic investment. Kadoorie saw an opportunity to contribute to China’s development by bringing in expertise, infrastructure, and energy resources. His approach exemplified how business, when guided by vision and responsibility, can bridge gaps, build trust, and create lasting prosperity.
Their story is a testament to how wealth, when used with purpose, becomes a force for good. It can provide education, healthcare, and opportunities that create a lasting legacy. This was evident in the tireless work of Horace Kadoorie, who dedicated himself to supporting Chinese immigrants who arrived in Hong Kong with almost nothing and were condemned to hunger and poverty without this help. Recognizing that self-sufficiency was the key to dignity and survival, he established agricultural programs that helped these immigrants build sustainable livelihoods.
With a pragmatic and compassionate approach, he supported thousands by teaching them modern farming techniques, providing seeds, livestock, and even financial aid to start their own farms. Despite being Jewish, he understood the cultural and economic realities of those he helped and even taught them how to raise pigs, ensuring they had a sustainable means of livelihood. This act of practicality underscored his commitment to their independence rather than his own personal beliefs.
Closing the Circle in Hong Kong
I concluded my trip with lunch at the Peninsula Hong Kong, an establishment owned by the Kadoorie family. Sitting there with The Last Kings of Shanghai in my hands, I realized I was closing the circle of my book journey. The very hotel built by the Kadoories, which had witnessed so much history, now played a part in my own adventure. The journey that began with a simple book exchange led me here, merging the past and present into one extraordinary moment.
The Takeaway: Stay Open to New Adventures
For me, this journey was a powerful reminder that curiosity, whether sparked by a book, a conversation, or an unexpected trip, can open doors in ways we never anticipate.
A psychologically rich life does not always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with a book exchanged over coffee. Sometimes, it leads to an invitation to a museum or a meaningful meal in a historic location. Between those moments, life unfolds through history, human connection, and a deep curiosity that turns the world into an endless source of discovery.
So here is my invitation. Stay open. Follow your curiosity. Let conversations turn into adventures rather than mundane transactions. Instead of treating meetings like checklists, let them sweep you off course into unexpected discoveries. Be curious about the people you meet. They carry stories that can inspire, surprise, and perhaps even change your perspective. And just as they enrich your world, your own tales may do the same for them. You never know when a casual chat might launch you into your next great adventure, or at the very least, provide an excellent excuse for an extended coffee break.
