A Lesson from Mom to a CEO Earning 26 Billion Won Annually [Shin Sujeong's Work Ethics]

I asked someone who used to be a leader at a major domestic company and is now working at a global tech firm, "What was the good thing about being at a domestic company?" Interestingly, the answer was, "As your position rises, the protocol definitely follows."

The allure of power and position is indeed like that. The higher you climb in an organization, the stronger the protocol becomes and the more powerful your words get. Once you fall into this, it becomes hard to let go of power. Honestly, even though I outwardly treat people modestly, inside I care about protocol and enjoy the sweetness of power.

Neuropsychologist Ian Robertson, who wrote the book The Winner's Brain, says this:

"People say that success changes a person, and that is true. When you gain power, it releases hormones that promote the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, activating the reward network. This makes a person bolder, positive about everything, and able to endure severe stress. Also, power acts like cocaine. It is addictive. It makes one arrogant and less empathetic toward others. Power narrows your perspective. It makes it difficult to see yourself from others' viewpoints. The ego of a person in power is like a dog."

A friend once said, "A CEO of a tech company was a team leader in the same industry, so we were close and talked often. But suddenly, that person became the president of an affiliate company, handled a big IPO, and started making a lot of money, and now they don't want to meet me. The level has changed. It’s bitter to see how everyone changes when they rise."

That’s right. Even someone ordinary and friendly changes suddenly when they grasp power. It’s not because the person is strange, but a natural brain phenomenon. You are no exception.

Therefore, a true person of character is not someone who meditates alone on a mountain, but someone who, despite having high power, controls their arrogant brain, exercises leadership that is powerful yet not authoritarian, empathetic, and humble. Such people are respected even after stepping down from their position. At alumni reunions, some friends deliberately come by public transportation to consider those who don’t have a driver, even though they have a car with a driver. Meanwhile, some friends arrive last in a Mercedes with a driver and leave first, flaunting it.

Indra Nooyi, who went to the U.S., kept succeeding, and finally became CEO of PepsiCo, once went back to her hometown in India. While staying at home, her mother asked her, "Indra, go buy some milk at the neighborhood store." She got annoyed and said, "Mom, I’m the CEO of a global company. My salary is over 20 million dollars."

Her mother then said, "Leave your crown in the garage." Hearing this, she realized she had fallen into the arrogance of power.

My parents often keep me grounded too. When I tell my mother, "I got promoted," she says, "Don’t worry about promotions or money. Health and happiness are the best. Why seek wealth and glory? Just live happily."

Let’s leave the crown in the garage.

Shin Sujeong, Head of KT Enterprise Division