As we near the end of BY24, everyone must be taking time to wrap up the year and make new plans. As we get ready for a new beginning, I ask everyone to pause for a moment, revisit the big question mark that begged for answers throughout the year, and reflect on your journey about searching for answers.

The world is divided into ‘thinkers’ and ‘doers’. Thinkers take interest in everything in life and ask questions all the time. This process may sometimes be painful, but thinkers take the initiative to expand the tree of thoughts and achieve self- and people growth. Now, doers focus on how to fulfill a given task, meaning that task completion suggests the end of their train of thought. Merely following instructions or adhering to traditional ways of working without asking questions will inevitably lead to stagnation.

Over the past few years, Amorepacific group has aspired to become a ‘thinker company.’ Indeed, the company has strived to quickly ‘sense’ the opportunities and threats in the changing landscape, mobilize resources to ‘seize’ the values, and ‘transform’ resources and capabilities such as values, business principles, management system, brands and products to stay relevant. As I said at the beginning of the year (link to New Year's special interview), Amorepacific group aims to become a global brand company by welcoming more people with diverse backgrounds and unique experiences, and encouraging inclusive leadership.

A Team of Dynamic Capabilities, the Importance of ‘Leadership’ that Provides Guidance

It is in times like these that leaders should serve as a magnifying glass. Just as a magnifying glass concentrates the light into one focal point to start a fire, leaders must bring people and thoughts together to drive action. To this end, the company redefined its leadership principles. After developing a 3-stage leadership model of ‘thought’, ‘empathy’, and ‘action’, the 3E Leadership Competencies were identified as the following: Edge, Energize, Execute.

As a leader of Team AMORE, you must first initiate, which requires you to think proactively and develop an “Edge”, that is, a unique insight. Secondly, you must also “Energize” the organization and motivate team members, which begins with listening. Finally, you must “Execute” decisions, which requires you to have the courage to take bold steps and lead by example.

Going forward, the company will continue to build on its 3E Leadership Competencies. The core competencies will first translate into the HR system and feed into the competency building programs for executive roles. On top of that, the 3E Leadership will also guide us to discovering and fostering future leaders who have the ability to bring Team AMORE’s vision to life by thinking outside the box and responding to the changing customer needs in an agile manner.

[3E Leadership Competencies]

Leadership that Guides ‘Us’ and ‘Me’

I have two key messages for Team AMORE.

Dear executives, our people deeply care about personal growth now more than ever. The commitment and efforts of the leaders are essential to ensure that members of Team AMORE are not demotivated and become the next generation professionals. Please keep the ‘3E Leadership’ in mind at all times in your everyday work and drive change by setting forth a clear vision and way forward, and leading by example.

Dear team members, we are all managers in our own microcosm. Taking the initiative anytime and anywhere will open the realm of infinite possibilities. Use the 3E Leadership not only to understand the company’s vision for organizational and leadership development, but also to ignite a fire inside you to be the leader of your own life.

My personal goal in the new BY is to especially “Energize” with listening. I will open up more channels and platforms of communication to hear not only the voice of the leadership team, but also that of our people, who are the backbone of our team. It is my firm belief that the collective wisdom and thought of Team AMORE will enable us to overcome any obstacles on the path to success.

Members of Team AMORE, thank you so much for a job well done in BY24. We have gone through ups and downs, but I hope that in retrospect, you all got closer to your goals. I look forward to a year of active learning, enjoying, and practicing change with you in BY25. With the guidance of the ‘3E Leadership’, let us create a Team AMORE culture which keeps pace with the times with constant evolution.