Handok CEO Baek Jingi Publishes 'Talent Management Clinic,' Drawing on 40 Years of HR Experience

"People build organizations and drive performance, even in the AI era"
HR solutions for leaders.

A new guide to talent management has been published with the message that people remain the key to corporate competitiveness, even in an era when artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of work.

Handok announced on November 12 that it had published Talent Management Clinic: A Prescription for HR’s People Challenges, a new book by CEO Baek Jingi that draws on more than 40 years of experience and expertise in human resources and organizational management.

The book begins with the premise that, even in a rapidly changing business environment, people are the most important challenge leaders must address. Baek divides people into “constants,” which are not easily changed, and “variables,” which change depending on experience and environment. He argues that leaders should accurately assess aspects that are difficult to change, such as innate traits, and guide growth by intervening appropriately in areas where change is possible. He particularly emphasizes that leaders should assess themselves before evaluating their team members.

The book consists of five parts and 25 chapters. It covers the full scope of talent management, from assessing leaders themselves to selecting talent, collaboration and performance reviews, talent development and organizational engagement, and retaining key talent and supporting departing employees. Each chapter presents specific situations that may arise in the workplace and common misconceptions among leaders, then offers practical “HR prescriptions” to address them.

Another feature of the book is its distinction between the roles of technology and people in the AI era. AI can support work and boost productivity, but the final decisions and responsibility for whom to hire, how to evaluate and develop employees, and what kinds of relationships to build with them rest with leaders. Through the message that “the person needing treatment is always a human, not a machine,” the book emphasizes people-centered management principles amid technological advances.

“After working in human resources and organizational management for more than 40 years, I realized that the most difficult and important challenges ultimately concern people,” Baek said. “Even in an era when AI takes over many tasks, understanding people and helping them grow remain important responsibilities for leaders.”

Baek joined Handok (formerly Handok Pharmaceutical) in 1984 as a new employee in its human resources department. He went on to serve in HR leadership roles at HMR Korea and Handok-Sanofi-Aventis, as well as vice president of Handok Pharmaceutical, among other positions. He has experience across the full range of HR work, including recruitment, evaluation, talent development, organizational management, and labor relations, and currently serves as Handok’s CEO. He earned a doctorate in business administration, specializing in human resources and organizational management, from Sungkyunkwan University, and received the Order of Civil Merit, Magnolia Medal, in 2013 for his contributions to gender equality in employment. He also serves as a board member of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association and as a member of the Employment and Labor Committee of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In 2024, Baek published The 1% Difference That Moves People, sharing his experience and insights on people-centered leadership, including talent management, feedback, communication, conflict management, and organizational culture. He has also co-authored Interviewing Techniques for Interviewers and The Power of Interviews.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.