Flexibility, adaptability key to effective leadership: PepsiCo Vietnam exec

In a rapidly changing world, leaders need to develop the skill of being “as flexible as seaweed,” says Nguyen Viet Ha, general director of PepsiCo Foods Vietnam.

Leaders must abandon an isolated, local way of thinking and embrace a more connected, global mindset. They must also stay calm and optimistic even when business progress lags behind societal advancements, to effectively navigate challenges, he said.

“Change within a business must originate from its leader, who should be passionate about driving transformation. However, change requires a process; it cannot happen overnight.”

Ha shared these insights Tuesday at an event where Anphabe, a company that specializes in “employer branding and workplace happiness solutions,” announced the top 100 places to work in Vietnam.

Kunal Malhotra, LinkedIn country manager for South Korea and Vietnam, echoed the sentiments, noting that “while rapid advancements in technology and AI continue to transform the workplace, they don’t eliminate human creativity.”

Instead, they redefine how people work, he said, stressing the importance of integrating AI into work processes.

Nguyen Ngoc Hue, general manager of strategic human resource management, corporate communications, sustainability & external affairs with Aeon Vietnam, spoke about the importance of health.

“Leaders must have good health to succeed. Without it, they can’t achieve anything,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of “managing energy effectively” to create positive momentum for employees.

Organizers said that the event announcing the 100 companies recognized as the best places to work in Vietnam was not only about celebrating the employers, but also about highlighting factors that make for an ideal workplace.

Surveys and reports prepared by Anphabe help businesses assess their strengths and weaknesses in talent attraction across five key stages: awareness, interest, application, desire, and priority, they said.

They noted that Anphabe’s survey framework, “which includes detailed criteria for defining an ideal workplace,” has become a trusted tool for guiding companies in attracting and retaining top talent.

Unilever Vietnam claimed the top spot for large enterprises as the best place to work in 2024. For the second year in a row, PepsiCo Foods Vietnam secured the No. 1 position in the medium enterprises category.