POSCO Unveils ‘Management Manual’ Outlining Executive Leadership Principles for the First Time
Publication of the ‘Leadership Manifesto’: Safety as the Starting Point for Leadership
Separate Guidelines for ‘Leadership in the Age of AI’
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POSCO Group has released its ‘Leadership Manifesto’ for the first time, consolidating executive leadership principles as part of its organizational culture innovation efforts. The manifesto is a public declaration that articulates the organization’s guiding principles and action plans.
This newly published manifesto is the first official document to clearly define the leadership standards and work practices the group aims to pursue in a rapidly changing business environment. It is a symbolic project, with around 200 group executives participating in its creation over six months.
POSCO Group has long emphasized the principle that ‘organizational culture follows the everyday actions of leaders.’ Believing that employees’ work styles and the overall atmosphere are ultimately shaped by the standards set by leaders, the group held ten rounds of the ‘Executive Work Innovation Workshop’ since May this year to reassess its leadership practices. The outcome of these workshops is reflected in the publication of the manifesto.
The manifesto is structured into three chapters: Intro, Action, and Story. The Intro chapter positions safety as the foundation of all leadership principles, stating that safety is not merely a task but an absolute prerequisite that must be ensured before any achievement or discussion. This underscores the group’s commitment to building a safety-centric management culture.
The Action chapter presents 14 specific standards for practice, derived from the workshops. These are divided into five areas: safety, performance-driven leadership, work practices, communication, and talent development. The chapter serves as a practical guide, illustrating the behaviors leaders should demonstrate in their daily routines to drive real organizational change.
In the area of performance-driven leadership, the manifesto highlights three key concepts: setting direction, delegation, and embracing challenges. Executives are urged to clearly define the organization’s direction, trust and empower team members, and foster a culture where growth is achieved through taking on new challenges. For work practices, it recommends shifting daily processes—such as instructions, reporting, and meetings—from a focus on formality and procedure to one centered on substantive communication and execution.
The communication section identifies inclusion, collaboration, and coordination as core elements, placing the highest value on transparency. It defines true leadership communication as speaking clearly when necessary, listening willingly, and openly sharing information without concealment.
For talent development, the manifesto emphasizes ‘interest-based leadership’ focused on coaching, evaluation, and growth. Leaders are encouraged to understand the strengths and characteristics of their team members and support their development, going beyond simple performance evaluations to actively consider each individual’s growth path.
POSCO Group has also established a separate section on ‘Leadership in the Age of AI.’ The group regards AI as an essential competency that must be applied to current operations, not just a technology of the future. Executives are expected to understand and utilize AI technology directly, guiding the organization’s digital transformation. This reflects POSCO’s commitment to linking its long-term digital innovation strategy to leadership roles, especially as a group focused on manufacturing, energy, and materials. The final Story chapter details the reflections and deliberations of executives throughout the manifesto’s creation process. POSCO Group repeatedly emphasizes that organizational culture does not change through declarations alone, but only through the everyday actions of leaders. Accordingly, executives have chosen the principles they must uphold this year and pledged to put them into practice, driving real change within the organization. A POSCO Group official stated, “We have systematically organized the standards leaders should embody, including safety, performance, work practices, communication, talent development, and AI competency. Moving forward, we will strengthen leadership development programs and on-site implementation checks to ensure that the leadership principles outlined in the document translate into tangible changes in organizational culture.”
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
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