RMIT Human Resource Management and Entrepreneurship Senior Program Manager Dr Seng Kok said that Vietnam is in a good position to develop a new generation of leaders and to create a skilled workforce that is ready for the global marketplace.
“Vietnam’s ability to control and manage COVID-19 has provided opportunities for the economy to continue growing,” Dr Kok said.
“As one of the few countries to have experienced a positive GDP in 2020, there is not only a positive outlook for its future economic plans but opportunities to emerge as a major player in Asia.”
Dr Kok referred to several favourable conditions which can help boost the development of innovative leadership.
“Vietnam’s Socio-Economic Plan 2021-2030 is already prioritising the value that innovation and creativity can have on enhancing the country’s socio-economic growth and in expanding competitive capacities for a post-COVID future,” he said. “Clear in this plan is the focus and priority placed upon developing the skills and the knowledge base of the workforce towards greater innovation and a growth mindset.”
His comments mirror Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends Report 2021 that innovation is increasingly viewed as the one of most important aspects of the transformation of work when businesses move from ‘survive to thrive’.
“As such, an innovative mindset and innovative leadership is vital for growth and development in the future,” he said.
Drawing on a review from the World Bank which highlighted Vietnam’s good progress in creating and sustaining organisations that support and promote innovation with strengths in exports, attractiveness for investment and reputation in science and technology, Dr Kok said: “These will create an environment that is able to nurture, facilitate and grow avenues for innovation and for ideas to flow, be mentored and allowed to flourish.”
Dr Kok emphasised that there is no innovation or creativity without a mindset to challenge the status quo or to take risks, whether it be in business, technology or in alleviating poverty.
He suggested the following innovative mindsets which are important for business leaders and the modern workforce to consider to develop innovative leaders of the future:
- Be restless, this will create an itch not to stand still;
- Be ready and willing to listen, not only to tell;
- It is important to dream, but be willing to test and analyse as well;
- Recognise not only diversity in people but diversity in ideas as opportunities;
- Invest in people and their ideas;
- Create ecosystems where ideas can flourish;
- Allow positive creative conflict as a means to foster new ideas;
- Keep abreast of not only current technological trends but also what’s upcoming.
“The highly dynamic changes in Vietnam’s economy along with its diverse and multi-generational workforce provide strong opportunities to be ready for the challenges of the future,” Dr Kok said. “This alongside the different regional and government initiatives highlight the strength of Vietnam’s position in Asia and the potential of its human resources.”
Story: Ha Hoang
