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"My team leader is exactly Hong Myung-bo"... "Chilling analysis" of office worker's complaint
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

"My team leader is exactly Hong Myung-bo"... "Chilling analysis" of office worker's complaint

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A South Korean office worker shared a post comparing their team leader's management style to soccer coach Hong Myung-bo.
  • The worker described the leader as deliberately excluding the most capable employee from important tasks.
  • The post resonated with many, with commenters relating similar experiences and offering insights into leadership dynamics.

A South Korean office worker's online post comparing their team leader's management style to that of soccer coach Hong Myung-bo has struck a chord with many professionals. The employee, identified as A, detailed how their team leader consistently sidelines the most competent team member, despite their strong performance and recognition from other departments.

Our team leader is exactly like Hong Myung-bo.

— Employee AComparing their team leader's management style to the soccer coach.

"Our team leader is exactly like Hong Myung-bo," A wrote, describing how the leader avoids assigning crucial projects to the high-performing employee. Even when external parties recommend this individual, the leader assigns others or diverts attention during meetings. A observed that the leader seemed to express relief when projects faltered, leading to the realization that the leader might be engaged in a subtle power struggle, similar to perceived dynamics between Hong Myung-bo and star player Son Heung-min.

It felt like Hong Myung-bo wasn't holding a grudge against Son Heung-min, but rather was in a battle of wills with those who insisted Son Heung-min was essential. I thought our team leader wasn't disliking the employee, but rather wanted to deny the surrounding evaluation that this person was essential.

— Employee AExplaining the perceived motivation behind the team leader's actions.

"It felt like Hong Myung-bo wasn't holding a grudge against Son Heung-min, but rather was in a battle of wills with those who insisted Son Heung-min was essential," A explained. "I thought our team leader wasn't disliking the employee, but rather wanted to deny the surrounding evaluation that this person was essential."

After reading this, I understood Hong Myung-bo's psychology.

— Online commenterExpressing understanding of the coach's potential motivations after reading the post.

This comparison resonated deeply, with many commenters sharing similar experiences. One user noted, "After reading this, I understood Hong Myung-bo's psychology." Another added, "This is an unexpected perspective, but it makes sense." Others drew parallels to their own workplaces, suggesting that such behavior stems from a desire to protect one's own position rather than prioritizing organizational success. One commenter shared a past experience where a top-performing employee left due to the team leader viewing their departure as a personal victory. The discussion highlights a broader issue of talent retention and effective leadership within organizations.

This is an unexpected perspective, but it makes sense.

— Online commenterReacting to the comparison between the team leader and the soccer coach.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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