In a recent LinkedIn post, Shulin Lee tackles the loaded term ‘hunger’ and its real meaning in professional and personal growth. Lee felt compelled to clarify her use of the word after it sparked a national debate, emphasizing that true hunger is not about overwork but about a deep-seated desire for improvement and exceeding expectations.
Lee begins by directly addressing the ambiguity surrounding the term, stating:
“Hungry. Very few people stopped to ask what I actually meant. So let me be clear: Oxford defines hunger as ‘an eager desire for something.’ My definition is simpler: How badly do you want it?”
The post meticulously distinguishes between genuine hunger and its detrimental counterparts. Lee argues that burnout and poor boundaries are often mistakenly labeled as hunger. Instead, she defines hunger as the intrinsic drive to surpass one’s previous self and to consistently choose the path of extra effort, even when unobserved.
The Nuances of Professional Drive
Shulin Lee elaborates on how this drive manifests in tangible actions within a professional context. She highlights several key indicators of this internal motivation:
- Taking initiative beyond assigned tasks without prompting.
- Actively seeking and integrating constructive criticism, even when it’s difficult to hear.
- Committing to personal and professional development irrespective of immediate recognition or reward.
- Proactively addressing potential issues by asking challenging questions.
- Prioritizing self-improvement activities over passive consumption of online content.
Lee shares a personal reflection on her own journey, recounting her intense drive in her 20s and 30s to overcome the perceived failure of transitioning from law to recruitment. She admits to working excessively during that period, a phase she no longer recommends but acknowledges as foundational to her current success. She notes:
“In my 20s and 30s, I was hungry to prove I wasn’t an epic failure – the lawyer who quit to become a recruiter. I worked all hours. Every weekend. Rarely stopped. I don’t recommend it. But it earned me the life I have now.”
Evolving Definitions of Hunger in Mid-Career
As Lee enters a new phase of her career and life, her definition and application of ‘hunger’ have evolved. She explains that her current drive is multifaceted, encompassing not only professional excellence and content creation but also a commitment to personal well-being and family life. Lee articulates this shift:
“In this season? I’m hungry to still do great work for my clients. Hungry to create great content and my podcasts…. AND spend more time with my kids and husband. Hungry to show up at the gym and pilates – because I’m turning 43 and this body needs to last. Hungry to be a decent human being in a world where it’s easier to tear down than build up.”
To underscore the enduring relevance of sustained effort and ambition, Lee invokes the words of the late Lee Kuan Yew. She quotes his warnings against complacency and the expectation of receiving without commensurate effort:
“What I fear is complacency. When things always become better, people tend to want more for less work.”
Lee emphasizes that her insights are not theoretical but are grounded in over 15 years of frontline experience in recruitment. She challenges her audience to reflect on their own motivations, concluding with a direct question:
“What are you hungry for right now?”
The post serves as a powerful reminder from Shulin Lee that while the outward appearance of ‘hunger’ can be debated, its core essence lies in a determined, self-directed pursuit of growth and purpose.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Shulin Lee on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on May 7, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →