Exclusive Interview with
SCTL Corporate Division No. 1 GM Mr Anant Leighrahathorn
“If you believe you can…, you can…”
Mr Anant Leighrahathorn
General Manager of Corporate Division No. 1
Sumitomo Corporation Thailand Ltd.
You are a Corporate GM that many employees look up to. Please share with us your leadership style and secrets to success.
I am very glad to work with Sumitomo Corporation Thailand Ltd. (SCTL) during the past 23 years as the company always gives me the opportunity to challenge new things and new positions.
My real leadership started since 2001 when SC decided not to assign a Japanese General Manager to be Manager of Credit Controlling department (currently Risk Management department) in Bangkok office. Since then, I have been leading the team with my style of being a good listener and compromising, as I am always happy to listen as well as give my colleagues the opportunity to provide their opinions and comments. In addition, when it comes to decision making, I will make the decision based on as much information as possible without being emotional. Moreover, I am always sincere and have good intentions towards my colleagues. All the things that I mentioned above together with the support from the company, I believe, are somehow the key to success.
Participated in Krungsri Ayutthaya KIZUNA Ekiden
(relay running race) in 2020
Acting as company representative for the closing ceremony of a SCTL's 100SEED activity
Through the years, what have you been trying to change or innovate for the better within the corporate division of SCTL?
As a member of SCTL Corporate Unit (CU), we need to always improve our CU operation as well as contribute and support the operation of SC group subsidiaries in Thailand.
During the past years, there were many projects under my supervision. One of them was SCTL Training Center that started since October 2020 to provide training on important topics/subjects to all staff in SC group subsidiaries. In addition, we have set up CU Help Desk as a one -stop service point for Business Unit to consult on specific topics or issues. Moreover, there is another ongoing project named Go Paperless Project. This project aims to improve the efficiency of core business process in the overall company operation as well as document management.
Who or what thing inspire you the most throughout your life, and why?
First of all, my parents were my inspiration as they built their business from zero and they were also my role model in integrity, patience and diligence in living.
Second, is my first Japanese boss Mr Fumio Teshima who encouraged and gave me the opportunity to learn many new things through various assignments to broaden my knowledge especially in debt restructuring and legal matters.
Last but not least, I followed one football team when I was young and I was impressed by the players of this team so much as they had the attitude of “Never Give Up” even though their scores were far behind and finally, they came back and won in many games.
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SNAPSHOT
I strongly believe in… having a good family will support our working life
I spend most of my time.. in working and learning
The food I crave most often is… stir-fry vegetable, mushroom and Chinese tofu
One personal rule that I never break is… integrity and diligence
The thing that cheers me up whenever I think about is… talking with my family and exercise
One thing I really want but can’t afford yet is… to have longer vacations with my family
If I could go back in time, I would… learn accounting and practice to be brave (I feel that I am too considerate to the feeling of other people so it affects my self-confidence. In my view, I need to practice to be brave/courageous to improve my confidence)
If I have enough money to live comfortably without having to work, I would… look after my parents and family as well as working for the society for charity
