* At ECONINE, we call the people who work together in pursuit of sustainability “ECONIANs” :)

Except for one colleague on sick leave, I completed one-on-one meetings with all ECONIANs over two weeks. In advance, I had shared the topics: how they had grown this year, their achievements, areas to improve, career direction, and what they hoped for from the company. Then we talked based on what each person had prepared. There were ECONIANs who rejoiced in their own growth, ECONIANs who spoke honestly about what needed improvement, ECONIANs whose sincere concern for the company could be felt, ECONIANs who said it had been hard but they had now found their place, and even an ECONIAN who declined when I said I would raise their salary. They were tense hours, but there were no unexpected or uncomfortable conversations. I felt grateful, and the conversations moved me. Last year, there were ups and downs because of people; this year was difficult because of the external environment, but because of the ECONIANs it was a rewarding and valuable time. On the day I met four people, I came home and almost collapsed. Through the conversations, I also recognised what I, as a leader, needed to improve. I asked for the managers’ agreement in order to build a more systematic organisation. There is much to make concrete. I am reminded that talking about salary is a very difficult thing. Even so, cautious subjects also came to the surface. They are important and realistic matters. There was also a colleague with concerns about career direction. To work through this, I plan to seek hints from people with more insight. Looking into one another’s eyes and speaking with each person takes a great deal of energy. It is also a live moment in which we can communicate and speak sincerely.

We meet. In another sense, we are not meeting. A true meeting would mean being able to speak frankly about my real story and about the organisation.

ECONINE’s mission is to make people who pursue sustainability shine!

May my thoughts be a small source of strength on your sustainable path: SUSTAINER, Seo Uk

Looking into one another’s eyes and speaking with each person takes a great deal of energy, but it was meaningful because it was time in which we could communicate and talk sincerely. We meet. In another sense, we are not meeting. A true meeting would mean being able to speak frankly about my real story and about the organisation. I will continue doing this regularly and steadily.