[ (Left) Building Material Procurement Team Leader Lee Jong Chul, Manager Lee Ki Dae /  Domestic Business Cooperation Team Manager Kim Chang Yeol, Leader Seo Young Deok ]

Great teamwork is not born out of luck. A team grows stronger when its members learn to understand one another’s viewpoints and embrace different ways of thinking. Seasoned seniors chart the course through experience, and junior members propel transformation with new ideas and sensibilities. We will listen to different stories about the genuine teamwork of Hyundai E&C people who are on this shared journey and are seeking the answer to the question, “What kind of teammate do I want to be?”

Building Material Procurement Team

Growing Stronger Together - Even Through Mistakes 

A Shared First Moment That Nurtured Our Teamwork

Team Leader Lee Jong Chul(Team Leader Lee): Ki Dae, do you remember that combined Procurement–Outsourcing team dinner where we first met? About forty people were there, and it was hectic. 

Manager Lee Ki Dae(Manager Lee): Yes, I remember. What stuck with me was when you said, “In construction, the site is the true owner, and our job is to support the site.” When I heard you’d be joining our team, I replayed that dinner in my head, hoping I hadn’t done anything embarrassing. (Laughs)

Team Leader Lee: I never imagined I’d end up leading the Building Material Procurement Team, but that dinner really helped me blend in with everyone. How did you feel when you were first assigned to the Procurement Division?

Manager Lee: Honestly, after working on-site and then moving to the Building Material Procurement Team to handle material orders, I felt completely lost. I remember peppering everyone with questions, probably to the point of being annoying.

Teamwork Ignited by Responsibility, Strengthened by Trust

Team Leader Lee: Ki Dae, you’ve got real grit. You’re not afraid to take on new tasks, and the way you handle details thoroughly earned my trust. Not long ago, right before your wedding, you were buried in work, yet you powered through with laser-like focus. Watching that, I thought to myself, ‘Wow, he really must want to get married!’ (Laughs)

Manager Lee: Thank you for looking out for me back then. (Laughs) I’m always impressed by your decisive leadership. Whenever the team hesitates which way to take, you size up the situation in an instant and lay out a clear solution, so the whole team can move forward without wavering.

Team Leader Lee: I appreciate that. When you’re new, everyone stumbles and everything feels unfamiliar. The key is not to be ashamed of what you don’t know and ask boldly. I believe real collaboration begins when every team member feels free to share mistakes and concerns ‘Trust and communication’ are the soil that nurtures individual capability.

Manager Lee: Absolutely. Whenever issues came up during work, I felt reassured thanks to teammates who offered advice without hesitation. Over time, those experiences have helped me grow enough to handle tasks independently and see them through with completeness.

After 20 Years, My Goal Hasn’t Changed: “To Be a Truly Indispensable Talent”

Team Leader Lee: Our team is responsible for placing material orders for construction sites, selecting subcontractors, and managing everything from bidding and contracts to delivery schedules. We serve as the bridge between the site, the vendors, and the company, so strong communication skills are the key. Every contract and document we handle requires close attention to detail. For me, being precise is just the starting line of being truly responsible.

Manager Lee: That’s why these days I’m focusing on learning the tacit knowledge, the kind you won’t find in official documents or manuals, that my seniors and teammates have built up on the site. Each of the 18 members of our team has a different way of solving problems. By learning from their real-world experience up close, I believe I can grow more than 18 times over.

Team Leader Lee: When I was a newbie, I worked with the mindset of wanting to become someone who’s respected no matter the situation. Now that I’m in a team leader, my focus has shifted beyond personal goals. Rather, I’m committed to helping the entire team grow into a group that’s recognized and respected as a whole. Because seeing everyone on the team grow together is what I find most rewarding.

Manager Lee: Just as you said, I’m learning from the experience and know-how of my seniors and peers one step at a time. Going forward, I hope to become someone the team can truly count on, a person who gives strength.  

Domestic Business Cooperation Team

A Team That Thrives on Feedback and Expands Its Potential

From an Unexpected First Impression to a Warm Team Atmosphere

Team Leader Seo Young Deok(Team Leader Seo): I still remember the first time I met Chang Yeol. On his application, he wrote that he was a boxing enthusiast and a former military officer, so I was expecting a tough, intense guy. But what a surprise when this soft-hearted “tofu-like” person showed up! (laughs)

Manager Kim Chang Yeol(Manager Kim): You really went out of your way to make me feel welcome from day one. What stands out most in my memory is the new employee workshop. Before I left, you and the team gave me a pair of sneakers as a gift to wish me well. But when I got there, I realized I was the only one who had gotten a present! (laughs) I felt truly proud and happy to have joined such a warm and close-knit team.

Team Leader Seo: Those sneakers were our way of saying, “Kick off this new chapter with energy!” And just like that, you really brought a new spark to the team, with the whole vibe getting a lot brighter. Since you were the first new team member in six years, there was a chance of a generation gap. But you’ve got such great energy that you’re a real asset, both in internal teamwork and when representing us outside the company.

Creating ‘Genuine’ Communication Through Empathy and Care

Team Leader Seo: Our Domestic Business Cooperation Team handles everything from bidding and contracts to risk analysis and legal responses for domestic projects. Since we face a wide range of situations, I try to lead the team with an “open mind”. Because it’s only with the trust and cooperation of team members that we can respond flexibly to unpredictable situations.

Manager Kim: And thanks to your consistent encouragement to “just be natural,” I was able to adjust to the team quickly. Thanks to a culture where there's no unnecessary hierarchy or inefficient work, and where people genuinely empathize with and support each other's struggles, I was able to focus on my role without feeling intimidated.

Team Leader Seo: Communication is the heart of teamwork. Asking questions, sharing information, listening attentively, and exchanging feedback - all of this process is part of communication. Your proactive attitude will make not only internal collaboration but also external networking much smoother. These days, as more members of the younger generation join the team, I’m trying to learn not only about their work styles but also about what they’re interested in.

Manager Kim: That’s so true. I’ve recently gotten into running, and it meant a lot that you took an interest. It feels like we’re building a real sense of connection. (laughs)

Team Leader Seo: It’s fun discovering what younger folks are into these days. Not just running. I’m also pretty interested in your work outfits. I even bought a pair of pants you recommended the other day, and my daughters, one in high school and one in middle school, told me that I picked a perfect style for these days. (laughs)

Moments of Growth and What It Means to Be a Mentor

Manager Kim: What I found most daunting after joining the company was the uncertainty of what came next. Unlike entering university or landing a job, there wasn’t a clear goal laid out, so I had to map out my own path. But as I started gaining experience on the job and saw myself growing, I began to feel more motivated.

Team Leader Seo: I completely understand that feeling. It reminds me of when I first went abroad to a Middle Eastern site in my fourth year. New responsibilities combined with unfamiliar culture made it very stressful. But it was through learning from and leaning on my senior mentors that I was able to grow so much. I hope that when tough times come your way, you won't try to carry them alone. Talk with experienced mentors often and overcome things together. That’s the kind of team I wish for.

Manager Kim: Yes, and with a new junior manager recently joining, I naturally began thinking about my own role as a senior mentor. I thought I’d be able to explain everything easily since I was already familiar with the work, but I soon realized there were still many things that I didn’t fully understand myself.

Team Leader Seo: I think it’s about time for you to start making an impact on others. If you recognize what you still need to improve and work on it step by step, that journey itself will become a valuable asset. I’ve always wanted to be someone others feel comfortable approaching, not just by being kind, but by truly listening, offering meaningful feedback, and being ready to help whenever needed. So I make it a habit to look inward and keep improving where I fall short.

Manager Kim: Talking with you today really helped me get a clearer picture of how I want to grow going forward, I don’t just want to stop at doing my assigned tasks well — I want to be someone who thinks critically about the team’s direction and helps provide stability at its core. And like you, my goal is to be remembered by junior staff as “a senior mentor they’d want to work with.”