Hotel Tycoon Warns Against Hubris: "Never Get Caught by It"

At 72 years old, hotel tycoon Ho Kwon Ping has seen his fair share of success and failure in the business world. As the founder and executive chairman of Banyan Group, a hospitality company with a portfolio of about 80 resorts and hotels in 22 countries, Ho has learned the importance of balancing confidence and humility to avoid the pitfalls of hubris.

Hubris, according to Ho, is the excessive pride that can lead to overconfidence and poor decision-making. In an interview with CNBC Make It, Ho warned entrepreneurs about the dangers of hubris, stating that "Never get caught by hubris into thinking you are great. The saying I use... is create your own fantastic PR, but don't ever believe a word of it."

Ho's advice is supported by his own experience and the success of Banyan Group, which generated about $328 million Singapore dollars (about $240 million) in revenue in 2023. By maintaining a balance between confidence and humility, Ho has been able to navigate the ups and downs of the hospitality industry and build a successful business.

One common mistake with hubris is that it can cause companies or founders to "over-expand" or take on more risk than they should, leading to potential disaster. Ho warns that entrepreneurs must be prepared for the worst and think about how much they can afford to lose, rather than focusing solely on potential gains.

To illustrate the dangers of hubris in business, Ho provides several specific examples. He warns that hubris can cause leaders to become complacent, transfer blame for failures, and isolate themselves from their employees. These bad habits contradict the desirable traits of true leaders, who possess self-awareness, awareness of others, and awareness of the broader environment.

To avoid the pitfalls of hubris, Ho suggests that entrepreneurs balance confidence and humility. They should strive to know where the line is drawn between confidence and hubris, and maintain an objective perspective on their abilities and achievements. By doing so, entrepreneurs can make better decisions for their businesses and avoid the risks associated with excessive pride.



In conclusion, Ho Kwon Ping's personal experience with hubris has taught him the importance of balancing confidence and humility in the business world. By avoiding the pitfalls of excessive pride and maintaining an objective perspective, entrepreneurs can build successful businesses and avoid the risks associated with hubris. As Ho warns, "Never get caught by hubris into thinking you are great. Create your own fantastic PR, but don't ever believe a word of it."