LG Chem Conducts Co-Mentoring Between Executives and MZ Generation

3-Month Bidirectional Co-Mentoring Conducted
Executives Discuss Work and Growth Vision... MZ Generation Consults on Communication with Younger Generations

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] LG Chem is conducting a program called ‘co-mentoring,’ where top executives and young employees from the MZ generation serve as mentors to each other.

On the 20th, LG Chem announced that as the first step of ‘co-mentoring,’ Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol mentored four young employees consisting of staff and senior employees.

Vice Chairman Shin first held a session called ‘balance game,’ where participants chose between two scenarios such as ‘large corporation CEO vs. lifetime guaranteed perpetual manager,’ to listen to the MZ generation’s thoughts that emphasize individual tendencies and respect diversity.

Afterwards, through a ‘Ask Me Anything’ session where participants freely asked questions about company work and organizational culture, he received communication tips from the young employees. There was also a time to introduce new terms representing characteristics of the MZ generation, such as ‘My-cider,’ which refers to pursuing an autonomous life centered on oneself; ‘Salludent,’ a combination of salaryman and student who constantly strives for self-development; and ‘Siljonjuui,’ an abbreviation of ‘I dislike it, please respect it,’ expressing sincere opinions about preferences. In the future, Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol will reverse roles and become a mentor to young employees, providing mentoring on the organization’s vision.

The co-mentoring program officially started this year, aiming to facilitate smooth communication and create work synergy between company executives and employees as the MZ generation, currently accounting for about 55% of the entire workforce, rapidly increases.

Through applications, LG Chem selected about 30 executives from various departments including Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol, heads of business divisions, CHO, management strategy officers, business officers, and R&D officers, along with approximately 110 young employees at staff and senior levels. Their average ages are 29 and 54 respectively. Over three months, they will switch roles as mentors and mentees, conducting interactive mentoring that diversely develops the program according to each other’s needs.

Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol said, “True collaborative synergy occurs when understanding and empathy are achieved through communication,” and added, “We will continue to pursue new communication innovations that can achieve generational empathy.”

Meanwhile, since his appointment, Vice Chairman Shin has held 20 speak-up tables with various organizations every month and has also strengthened communication by conducting townhall meetings for all employees quarterly.