I am delighted to learn that my best friend in Seoul, Dr. Sugar Han who shared with her business circles, alumni of Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and Rotarian International networks about my story entitled “Transformational leadership strategies from the Korean way in innovation by mix and match Western and Eastern management” published by newswav.com dated Tuesday, 18 August, 2026. My story describes present-day South Korea and how the determination of its people, with their tenacity and drive, has enabled them to become the technologically savvy and prosperous nation we see today. I understand it is the desire to succeed in business that drives them - to the point where it sometimes takes on the elements of a religion. One of the most remarkable features of the Korean mindset is nunchi (cultural telepathy) - the ability to interpret and predict the behavior of Korean business people.
I learned from Dr. Sugar on an analysis of the behavior and values that shape the Korean business personality, making them such formidable competitors. She provides practical tips & guidelines on how to interact with South Koreans in a truly positive and effective manner & how to avoid the many pitfalls so often doom foreign business efforts in Korea. Interestingly, American fast-food chains have been among the successful foreign companies in South Korea.
Reading the responses on Dr. Sugar's FB, I was touched with the suggestion of inviting me to engage in conversations with their networks in Seoul. Yes, I want to revisit South Korea and learn more about their ethics of traditional commitment to humanistic acts of benevolence, something probably grew out of their historical experience when life was hard then, and helping each other was often a matter for survival. The rationale that all work-related situation should conform to the Korean humanistic behavior has a direct impact on labor relations. The practice what they say & do guided by humanistic principles.
Zulkifly Baharom (hajizul50@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.