Samsung Emphasizes 'Flexible Organization'... Pinkerton Foundation CEO Lectures Samsung Executives

Creating a 'Flexible Organizational Culture' Emphasized by Chairman Lee Jae-yong

Samsung invited Richard Smith, CEO of the Pinkerton Foundation, a world-renowned journalist and a leader in addressing youth social issues in the U.S., to hold a lecture in order to realize Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's vision of 'creating an organization flexible to change.' Ahead of the 30th anniversary (on the 7th) of the late Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee's 'New Management Declaration,' executives from Samsung Electronics and its affiliates gathered at the Hoam Hall of the Samsung Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to contemplate what is needed to develop into a flexible and healthy organization.

On the 5th, Samsung Electronics conducted an executive training session for next-generation leaders at the Hoam Hall of the Samsung Human Resources Development Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and held a special lecture by CEO Smith of the Pinkerton Foundation. CEO Smith, who took the stage as the speaker, explained the mindset and leadership improvement methods required as next-generation leaders under the theme of 'Leadership in Challenging Times.'

The executives had the opportunity to reflect on how prepared they are to become leaders and to consider what is necessary to develop into a flexible and healthy organization.

Samsung Human Resources Development Center

CEO Smith began his career in journalism in 1970 as a reporter for the American current affairs weekly Newsweek, later becoming editor-in-chief and serving as chairman for 13 years from 1998 to 2011. Currently, he serves as CEO of the Pinkerton Foundation in New York, which supports children and youth from low-income families, leading efforts to improve social issues. He also has a deep connection with Korea. Since 2010, he has been active as a member of the Seoul International Business Advisory Council (SIBAC), operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, contributing to Seoul's leap into a globally competitive city, and in 2016, he was recognized for his contributions to Seoul's municipal development by being named an 'Honorary Citizen of Seoul.'

This special lecture was arranged as part of Chairman Lee's emphasis on 'creating an organization flexible to change.' CEO Smith has maintained a close relationship with Chairman Lee for over 20 years, regularly attending the 'Samsung Hope for Children' charity fundraising events organized by Samsung Electronics' North America branch to support disadvantaged children and families in the U.S. Based on this relationship, Chairman Lee requested CEO Smith, who visited Korea to attend the 2023 Samsung Hoam Awards ceremony held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the 1st, to deliver a leadership lecture for executives, making the event possible.

After returning from a European business trip in June last year, Chairman Lee emphasized, "Our task is to bring in good people and create a flexible culture that allows the organization to adapt to change," reinforcing the importance of building an organization flexible to change. Additionally, in a statement following the Compliance Committee's recommendations in May 2020, he stated, "Civil society and the media are mirrors reflecting flaws that companies themselves cannot see," and emphasized, "We will listen openly to external criticism and advice."

A business community official interpreted CEO Smith's special lecture as "an intention to instill a sense of responsibility in Samsung executives growing into next-generation leaders, emphasizing that they should take an interest in and proactively lead efforts to solve social issues from their leadership positions."