We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xiaohan Zhang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Xiaohan, thank you so much for making time for us today. We’re excited to discuss a handful of topics with you, but perhaps the most important one is around decision making. The ability to make decisions is a key requirement for anyone who wants to make a difference and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your decision-making skills.
I feel like making decisions is more of an instinct, something hard to train for. I believe the ability to make decisions started way back in the early human days when people were facing danger. When they encountered a threat, they had to choose whether to fight or quietly hide behind a rock, leaving it all up to fate. Of course, our ancestors who chose the latter might have survived, while those who chose to fight were more likely to die.
What I’m getting at is that, instinctively, people tend to avoid making decisions. It’s only in moments of real crisis, where the stakes are high, that we find the strength to decide. Honestly, I don’t know how I’ve developed my decision-making skills, but as a producer and director, I consciously push myself to do things that are tough, things that push me to my limits. When you’re up against a challenge, that’s when the decisions you make really matter.
When you’re stuck in traffic, the decision of whether to take the local roads or stay on the freeway is easy. You know that, sometimes, the local route is faster, so you might take the next exit off the highway. But then you might find the local road isn’t that quick either, and you think about going back to the jammed freeway. That’s when people second-guess themselves. Decision-making is not just about skills. It’s about determination and resolve. If you’re constantly indecisive, you’ll get nowhere. It’s like our ancestors: if you choose to fight, and then run, it’s pointless. Once you make that bold decision, you have to stick to it.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Technically, I’m a film producer and director. But with the way the demand for visual content keeps evolving, we’re no longer just making movies or TV shows, there are so many other forms of content creation now. In that sense, you could say I’m a content creator. Of course, as creators, we have our own viewpoints and perspectives, but I’ve come to believe that when you look at each of us individually in the vast landscape of the film and media industry, we’re pretty insignificant. What we produce is largely shaped by the times we live in. We’re more like documenters of our era, and that alone gives our work meaning.
I also run a production company called Coldfish. Whenever I start working with new collaborators, they always ask me why I chose that name. It actually comes from one of my top three favorite Japanese films, which has had a huge influence on how I approach my work. Just like what we do at the company, we strive to create content that fits the needs of the current era, but with our own unique perspective and voice. We have a sense of ownership in everything we do, whether it’s indie films, mini series, or commercials. We always bring a distinct identity to the table.
If I were to compare my creative process to planting flowers, I’d say I want to plant them in the front yard, not the backyard. I want people passing by to catch the scent of the flowers I’ve grown.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
A genuine attitude, the ability to see through the essence of a problem, and a strong understanding of history. These three things, at least for me, have been key to reaching where I am today and achieving what I’ve accomplished. They’ve always had a positive impact on me.
We live in an era filled with slick talkers, schemers, and those who know how to play the game. And while there’s nothing wrong with being smooth, and I can even appreciate a crafty person from time to time. But for me, being genuine just saves time. When someone is truly honest, it doesn’t take long for time to show you who is willing to work with you and who you’re willing to collaborate with. Time is the most valuable asset to me, and in a way, honesty is my weapon in this world. It works.
About understanding the essence of a problem, that’s a big topic, and I can only offer my perspective on why it’s so important. Recently, I saw a post on my apartment’s community forum with an aggressive comment: “If anyone’s dog pees in the elevator again, I swear you’ll face the consequences.” A week later, the elevator was still dirty, and it seemed like the rude dog owner didn’t care about the neighbor’s threat. Then someone replied to the post: “My dog will pee wherever it wants, come and get me.” Strangely enough, two days later, no more dogs peed in the elevator. That person who replied probably wasn’t even the dog owner, but they clearly saw the essence of the problem. They knew that creating conflict and escalating it would somehow resolve the issue. I’m not saying that’s the best example, and I’m certainly not advocating for creating conflict all the time. But the point is, you need to be able to see the real issue behind the surface.
As for history, I see it less as humanities and more as a science, a science that studies all the problems of human society. I don’t need to go into too much detail here, you can see from history that things tend to repeat themselves, over and over again. We keep falling into the same traps, repeating the mistakes of the past.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
When I was in elementary school, my homeroom teacher was a very popular and respected staff member. Every Friday after school, all the kids were required to say goodbye to her before leaving. I remember one day she was really busy, talking to other parents. I stood by her side, saying goodbye for about five minutes, but she didn’t respond, she was caught up in her socializing. My dad saw this and first put me in the car. Then he said he was going back into the school for a bit and told me to wait in the car. It was only later that I found out my dad had confronted the teacher, insisting that she apologize to me the following week.
Some people might disagree with how my dad handled it, but it had a profound impact on me. Through this action, my father showed me that my feelings and presence matter, that they deserve respect. Even when faced with authority, everyone’s dignity should be upheld. This incident stayed with me into adulthood, especially now that I lead a company. I often reflect on how authority figures interact with others in social settings.
This was a small event, but it influenced me a great deal. It taught me that rules aren’t absolute, and people’s actions can and should be questioned and improved. It gave me confidence for life, showing me that seeking solutions in the face of injustice is not only possible, but effective.
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