Taeick Son: The MD who loves and thrives on risks

Taeick is fresh off the boat from South Korea. Two-and-a-half months old in Kenya and the youngest MD to run an office of its kind for LG, he reveals.

He grew up in the southeast area of Korea, in a small beach town. Mum was a housewife, dad passed on when he was 19- years- old.

“It was very tough,” he says. “Some of my siblings dropped out of school.” His whole education was through scholarships awarded on merit for his excellent academic qualifications.

His bachelor’s degree was on Korean politics then a Master’s in Business Administration. There was also the two-and-a-half year mandatory military service.

Very passionate and loyal to LG, he was the first employee to open a new LG office in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2004 and in 2010, when companies were closing and leaving Iraq, he was going in to open their branch that he started with just a secretary.

Now they have over 100 employees there.

We met in his office on 14 Riverside. He speaks zealously about LG in bubbly, faltering English and caps it occasionally with an infectious laugh.

What does your name mean?

So Tae means big, and Ick means wings. I have big wings, which means my role is to take care of people. I have to bring people together under my wings. My role in this company is to make sure that everybody feels a part of this brand and works in harmony as a unit.

What about Kenya has surprised you the most?

I was actually here in Kenya with my family in 2006; we travelled all over the country on holiday. In terms of corporate life, well out there the perception I got was that Kenyans don’t have a very studious work culture. That they are a bit lazy. But coming here, I can tell you that those perceptions are unfounded. My experience with my colleagues is quite different.

You have worked in risky places like Kabul and Iraq during the height of insecurity. Do you have a secret death wish?

(Laughs) You know, I believe that you can die anywhere as long as your time is ready. You will die in the safest cities, so I left it to God. But the other reason was that I like challenges.

My wife would perhaps love me to take up jobs in cities like London or Australia, but I think I would be bored stiff because they offer no challenge at all.

I will just be another LG employee getting the job done. In a place like Kenya, I have the opportunity to create something special. Africa is where it’s all happening now.

And what is that special something you want to create here?

I want the company to be completely localised. I want Kenyans to think of LG not as a foreign company, but as a Kenyan brand. I would like to get Kenyan workforce to build this brand in a way that they deem is Kenyan.

Have you identified and integrated yourself in a Korean community here in the city?

I have some friends in the Korean Embassy, guys I knew from my other postings. I also know a few businessmen who deal in furniture and weaves.

Do you hang out with you-know-who, your biggest competition from Korea?

Oh no. (Giggle). There is an unwritten company rule that we can’t mingle or socialise with that competition. The same applies to them. In fact, not even our families are “allowed” to mingle and be friends. This is to avoid company secrets being shared.

So if we are invited for a cocktail party by your embassy, you will all stand in opposite corners and regard each other suspiciously?

(Giggle) Yes. Or send representatives.

What is your greatest fear?

(Thinks) I fear not being able to perform. I worry about it as a young MD entrusted to take this company to the next level in the region; it’s something that I worry about. I want to improve on my leadership skills and basically be a great manager.

I once read this article about how deeply entrenched the sense of duty and loyalty is in employees of the big Korean brands. How men get depressed when they are fired. I see that in you now as you speak. Is this cultural?

Yes. We [Koreans] are big on loyalty; it’s about duty and Korean pride. I have worked for LG for 19 years. If a competitor offered me 10 times my salary to leave, I would not even consider it. I think employees of the competitor would also make the same decision.

I want to build a loyalty system here in the East African office where longest serving employees are rewarded and also offer incentives for people who have to work late and a benefits package for outstanding service.

What is your greatest regret in life?

When I worked in Dubai in 2003, I was involved in a toxic company culture where we [Koreans] would shout at employees of other races. I was getting shouted at by my boss, even thrown things at, and I would pass down the heat to my employees.

The structure was just wrong, where employees looked at their bosses like gods. Koreans had their own offices complete with secretaries while the rest sat in open space. It was sad.

But my boss in Jordan taught me that treating your employees well actually works for you in the long run. That being nice to people is a strength.

That changed how I related with my employees. If you look at our office set-up here, I’m the only one with an office, the rest sit in an open plan. That way, a sense of community is cultivated.

You have two kids aged 16 and 19, are you a good father?

No. I’m not. I’m hardly with them. (They are in Seoul but relocating in December). But when I’m with them, I’m always working. However, when they finally grow old, they will appreciate my work ethics and the opportunities I gave them.

Are you religious?

No.

So what do you believe in… apart from LG?

(Laughs) I subscribe to Buddhism. My wife and kids are Catholic though.

What’s in your bucket list?

(Excitedly) I want to experience Gorilla tracking! I think that would be so much fun! I also want to see the Victoria Falls and climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

What do you do for fun?

I’m a big enthusiast of scuba diving. I was certified 18 years ago. I have three sets of equipment that I travel with.

I also play golf, but now I have a shoulder injury from Iraq when the car I was in got under gunfire attack.

Maybe you should try scuba diving in Watamu, forget Kilimanjaro for a bit.

(Laughs) I will.

Do you drink?

Yes. I love my Tusker. I keep it in the house, cartons of it. (Giggle).