In our “Passion at Work” series, we spotlight leaders whose life’s work is powered by more than just ambition—a mission drives it. Dr Patrick Liew, a globally awarded entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, is one such figure.
From growing up in poverty to listing companies on SGX, ASX, and NYSE, his success is rooted not in luck or intelligence alone, but in what he calls the “Desperation Quotient.” That sense of urgency and purpose has shaped every stage of his life, from coaching struggling entrepreneurs to building businesses that give back to the community.
In this exclusive conversation with NewInAsia, Dr Patrick Liew shares the values that drive him, how he’s coached entrepreneurs toward life-changing turnarounds, and why he believes education and giving back are the true currencies of wealth.
Highlights
From Desperation to Drive: The Mindset Behind the Mission
Q: Your journey spans entrepreneurship, academia, and philanthropy — what inner drive or philosophy has kept you consistently passionate across such diverse domains?
A: I was born into a poor family and grew up among the poorest. I’ve always said that the primary ingredient for success isn’t IQ or EQ—but DQ. DQ stands for “Desperation Quotient.”
A healthy form of desperation is often the fuel that drives us toward our life goals. Later in life, I realized that many people fail to tap into their immense potential—especially the kind that could serve a greater good.
So, I live by the belief that anything worth doing is worth doing with passion and excellence. Passion and excellence are two sides of the same coin. You can learn to love whatever you do—even the things you don’t particularly want to do—if you commit to doing them to the best of your ability. That mindset has helped me fulfill my dreams.
Q: Your work clearly blurs the line between business and purpose. How do you personally define ‘success’ today, and how has that definition evolved over the decades of your career?
A: The root of the word “wealth” is an old English term—wela—which means well-being. The “-th” refers to a state or condition. So real wealth is the condition of well-being—physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and environmentally.
Success isn’t about chasing the 5 Ps: Profit, Possession, Position, Pleasure, and Privilege. What matters isn’t how much you own, but how much you contribute. Momentary pleasures fade, but lifelong treasures endure. The real measure is whether people feel better after meeting you than they did before.
Ultimately, it’s not just about making a living—it’s about living a life that counts.
Scaling Business, Impacting Lives: GEX and Beyond
Q: At GEX Ventures and GEX Global Group, you’ve helped companies go global and go public. What has been your most fulfilling transformation project — and why did it resonate so deeply with you personally?
A: We’ve been fortunate in achieving our corporate mission—helping entrepreneurs and investors attain financial success. That success helped us win the E50 Award within just three and a half years of starting out—arguably making us the fastest company to ever receive it.
While I could highlight million-dollar deals or entrepreneurs we’ve helped list on stock exchanges, what truly moves us is how we’ve used our business and partnerships to uplift others through social missions.
Our latest initiative helps the jobless and vulnerable start their own part-time or full-time businesses to generate income. One of our students, Lucas Low, lost almost everything—his finances, and even his marriage. He became deeply depressed. But within a year of our coaching, he was earning a five-figure income monthly and was able to rebuild his life and support his family.
Stories like that bring me more joy than any other achievement. I’ve always said, “The more you reach out to bless others, the richer and better your own life becomes.”
The National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) has recognized that mindset by awarding our company in every edition of the “Company of Good” award.
Beyond the Numbers: How Teaching Fuels Growth and Impact
Q: You’ve trained over a million students worldwide. How do you measure the impact of that kind of educational reach beyond the numbers, and what continues to fuel your commitment to teaching?
A: I’ve been blessed with teachers who changed my life, and I’m committed to paying that forward—and backward—by training, coaching, and mentoring others.
Education, to me, is a great equalizer. It’s one of the most powerful tools to uplift anyone, anywhere. The process of training others also motivates me to learn, grow, and perform better myself.
It’s been a privilege to train over one million students across more than 61 countries, through both online and in-person platforms. That reach isn’t just a statistic—it’s a responsibility that I take seriously.
Global Platforms, Personal Stories: What Truly Inspires
Q: You’ve stood on stages with leaders like Clinton, Porter, and Robbins — was there a particular moment during those global engagements that reignited your own purpose or shifted your perspective?
A: I’ve had the honor of speaking alongside presidents, prime ministers, CEOs, and some of the world’s top thought leaders. I’ve spoken in prestigious convention halls, indoor stadiums, and even a football stadium.
But what really inspires me are the one-on-one or small group sessions. One story that will always stay with me is of a student who was sold by her parents shortly after birth—to a prostitute. She would go to the brothel every day to collect her pocket money. She wasn’t well-educated and worked for a company for over 40 years before she was retrenched.
We coached her not just to find another job within three months, but also helped her launch an online shop and learn livestreaming. Today, she works not because she has to—but because she loves what she does. She’s financially independent. Stories like hers give me deep joy and remind me why I do what I do.
Final Thoughts: Why Dr Patrick Liew’s Journey Matters
Dr Patrick Liew’s life shows that success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s also about who you help along the way. His idea of the Desperation Quotient offers a different way of thinking about motivation, and his focus on doing every task with care and commitment has clearly shaped his path.
From guiding startups to supporting those who’ve lost everything, Dr Patrick Liew blends personal conviction with practical action. His work—whether through business, teaching, or mentorship—has created real change in people’s lives.
For anyone wondering how to stay grounded in their work while striving for impact, his story is a reminder that passion often begins with struggle and grows stronger when shared.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here, or listen to the podcast here.
