Why Indians Become CEO Before Other Asians – Fung Brothers

By Joel Wong

Opinion by the Fund Brothers.

The Fung Brothers, Andrew and David Fung, are quite influential on YouTube, especially within the Asian American community. They gained significant traction in the early 2010s with their videos that often combine comedy, cultural commentary, and food exploration. Their content has addressed a variety of topics, including Asian American lifestyle, Asian cuisine, hip-hop music, and more. They’ve been featured in major publications like the Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, NBC News, Wall Street Journal, and CNN. Overall, the Fung Brothers have made a significant impact on YouTube and beyond, using their platform to entertain and inform a wide audience about Asian American issues and cuisine.

Here are the key points from the video “Why Indians Become CEO Before Other Asians”:

• Indians’ Support System: Indians tend to support each other more than Chinese support other Chinese, creating a strong network within and outside their ethnic group.
• British Cultural Exposure: Due to historical colonization by the British, Indians are more exposed to Western culture, making it easier for them to integrate into American corporate culture.
• Elite Immigrants: The Indian immigrants in the U.S. are often the cream of the crop, highly educated and motivated to succeed.
• Hungry Immigrants: Many Indian CEOs are first-generation immigrants with a strong drive to succeed, contrasting with American-born Asians who might be more comfortable with middle-class status.
• Assertiveness: Indians rank higher in assertiveness, extraversion, and self-promotion, making them more likely to take leadership roles.
• Geopolitical Factors: India is viewed more favorably by the U.S. compared to China, which is seen as a geopolitical rival.
• STEM Dominance: A significant portion of the world’s software engineers are Indian, and many tech roles in the U.S. are filled by Indians, facilitating their rise to CEO positions.
• Management Skills: Indians are considered to have strong management skills due to their ability to navigate a diverse and complex social environment in India.
• Family and Social Structure: Indian men often have a strong family support system, which is seen favorably by corporate boards.
• Cultural Westernization: Indians are perceived as more Westernized compared to Chinese, making them more relatable and acceptable in Western corporate culture.

These factors collectively explain why Indians are more likely to be promoted to executive positions in U.S. companies compared to other Asians, particularly Chinese.
Do you agree?