The Inner Mountain - by Diane Wang (Hardcover)

About the Book

Whether you're grappling with conflicting advice, feeling uncertain about your next steps, or simply yearning for a more profound understanding of your path, this book offers warmth, insight, and inspiration to guide you on your personal and professional journey.

Book Synopsis

2025 Business Book Awards Shortlist for Business Journey
2024 Global Book Awards Gold Medalist in Women & Business
2022 Business Woman of the Year (CEO Today magazine)

In her new book, The Inner Mountain, DHgate Group founder and chairperson Diane Wang shares her journey to the top in the business world while overcoming internal conflicts with confidence and self-esteem.

She recounts pivotal career experiences at Microsoft, Cisco, starting and selling her first startup--Joyo.com--to Amazon in the early 2000s, which was later renamed Amazon China after its acquisition in 2004, and founding DHGATE Group, to illustrate how she learned to stop fighting external barriers, and focused inwards, connecting with her heart's inner wisdom to find clarity and take bold action aligned with her true passions.

The book explores the controversial issue of the "glass ceiling" women experience in the business world as artificial limitations placed on them by others, chronicles her ups and downs launching DHgate and shares lessons on persistence, resilience, and "pacing not chasing" goals.

It also dives into Diane's "Inner Mountain" philosophy of looking within for personal strength to conquer one's own internal feelings of limitation, complete with valuable tips for accomplishing this. Learn to embrace your "inner dragon," refusing to get trapped fighting others' battles, and focusing on collective good over self-gain. Diane advocates fostering communities based on mutual nurturing and support she likens to "the way of water" over ruthless corporate "wolf" culture. She offers reflection exercises so readers can grow self-knowledge and apply teachings to their own lives.

The book spotlights Diane's trailblazing work empowering female entrepreneurs globally through her cross-border e-commerce company DHgate, APEC-endorsed program APEC Women Connect, and the global community of empowerment--The Inner Mountain Foundation.

Overall, Diane delivers a stirring journey and issues a powerful call to women seeking fulfillment in business and life. By sharing vulnerable insights from her personal and entrepreneurial journey, she empowers women worldwide to unleash their potential by looking within. This book will resonate with any driven women who lead, nurture, and inspire those around them--starting with themselves--through the strength they uncover within after climbing and discovering their Inner Mountains.

Review Quotes

"Diane Wang's career journey and commercial success is an inspiration. In her new book, she generously shares her story and offers practical advice on what it takes to build a high-performance career in business and tech. Her life and book will continue to inspire executives around the world to set ambitious goals, be resilient in the face of challenges, and conduct global commerce with purpose."

Katherine Rich
Interim Chief Executive, Aged Care Association NZ (ACA)

"Diane Wang's The Inner Mountain is a transformative guide to self-discovery, blending ancient wisdom with modern insights from her pioneering career in cross-border e-commerce. As founder of The Inner Mountain Foundation and a champion for women's development globally, Wang's book offers readers a roadmap to navigate life's peaks and valleys and unlock their full potential."

Silvana Koch-Mehrin
Founder & President, Women Political Leaders

"Diane Wang not only embodies the essence of leadership by providing direction, purpose, and wisdom but also adeptly integrates insights on digitalisation into today's business landscape. Her guidance in The Inner Mountain is timely and invaluable, offering a roadmap for navigating the post-pandemic challenges and leading teams to new heights. Whether managing a small startup or a large organisation, Diane offers essential and personal advice that resonates with leaders striving to thrive amidst change."

John Denton
Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

About the Author

DIANE WANG is the founder, chairperson, and CEO at DHGATE Group, one of China's leading cross-border B2B e-commerce marketplaces, founded in 2004. Diane's journey is one of passion, determination, and immense contribution to women's empowerment. Through her leadership, she has inspired countless women to pursue their dreams and achieve greatness.

Diane is passionate about driving the digital inclusion agenda for MSMEs (Micro, Small, & Medium Enterprises) and women, collaborating with international associations and agencies.