YouTube05 Feb 2026
1h 6m

Dr. Leo Li, CEO & Chairman of Blue Ocean Technologies Inc

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A Bit Personal with Jodi Shelton

Leo Li, former CEO of Spreadtrum, recounts his journey from a childhood marked by the Cultural Revolution to becoming a driving force in China's semiconductor industry. He details his early life, including working on a farm and teaching himself math to escape rural life by entering university. Li describes his experiences studying in the U.S. and later returning to China to lead Spreadtrum, transforming it from a distressed company to a market leader. He shares insights on managing teams with both Western and Chinese cultural approaches, emphasizing teamwork and direct communication. Li also reflects on the current U.S.-China relations in the semiconductor industry, advocating for collaboration and understanding between the two countries.

Outlines

Part 1: Early Life, Cultural Revolution

Part 2: Academic Journey, Move to US

Part 3: Career Beginnings, Startup Success

Part 4: Spreadtrum, Turnaround, Leadership

Part 5: Management, Work Culture, Ethics

Part 6: Global Collaboration, Geopolitics

Part 7: Future Outlook, Personal Insights

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