
Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent controversies surrounding Dong Mingzhu, the chairwoman of Gree Electric Appliances, highlighting her strong personality and the mixed public perception of her leadership style, especially in light of her comments about talent recruitment and the backlash they received [1][3][6]. Group 1: Leadership and Public Perception - Dong Mingzhu's comments at a recent shareholder meeting, particularly her remarks about not hiring returnees due to potential espionage, have sparked significant media criticism and public outcry [1][2]. - Despite her strong leadership and past successes, there are growing calls for a change in leadership at Gree, with some suggesting that her age (71) may hinder her ability to adapt to modern business challenges [2][9]. - Dong's direct and assertive communication style has led to a series of negative headlines, overshadowing her contributions to Gree and the brand's identity [3][9]. Group 2: Company Performance and Strategy - Gree Electric Appliances has shown resilience in a declining market, with a slight revenue increase of 0.5% in the first half of 2024, while net profit rose by 11.54% to approximately 14.14 billion yuan [18][19]. - The company remains heavily reliant on its air conditioning business, which accounted for 78.14% of total revenue, indicating limited diversification despite efforts in other sectors [22][24]. - Gree's growth has been supported by the booming real estate market and its strong brand positioning in the air conditioning sector, which has allowed it to maintain significant profit margins [12][10]. Group 3: Management and Future Outlook - The complexity of Gree's ownership structure and management model complicates the search for a successor to Dong Mingzhu, as any potential leader must possess extensive experience and capability to manage a large enterprise [24][26]. - Dong Mingzhu's leadership has been pivotal in maintaining stability within Gree, and her departure could pose risks to the company's operational continuity [24][26]. - The article emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset and approach rather than merely changing leadership, suggesting that maintaining a youthful spirit in thought and strategy is crucial for future success [26].