Guidance, support, and reciprocal learning are not just beneficial for business but are essential for developing our leaders and driving positive change in our communities. Mentorship is often a two-way street, where the act of guiding others provides unique insights that shape our own professional and personal growth.
To bring this to life, we spoke with three inspiring individuals from across the Group whose work exemplifies this powerful connection. Their stories, featuring Nguyễn H. Huy, Balloon, and Saima Khalid, highlight how authentic engagement and a commitment to shared learning can create a lasting impact.
Nguyễn H. Huy: Designing with Sustainable Purpose
As an advisor on colour and space-making at Nippon Paint Vietnam, Nguyễn H. Huy brings a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to his work. Joining the company in 2023, he draws upon his strong background in Urban Design from the University of Architecture in Ho Chi Minh City. He champions minimal, sustainable aesthetics and the efficient use of resources, which are the guiding principles of his professional philosophy.
Huy’s journey has been one of continuous learning and proactive engagement. He began his career as a Junior Planner at CPG Vietnam, focusing on urban design and landscape, and later gained valuable experience through an international design competition. Alongside his professional work, he also took on the role of a teaching assistant for a Mapping course at his alma mater, directly stepping into a mentorship role to guide other students. This drive to broaden his perspective also led him to form a small team to explore different scales of residential architecture.
These diverse experiences have shaped Huy’s approach at Nippon Paint. Drawing upon his background in urban planning and his experience as a teaching assistant, he provides insightful guidance on how to use colour and space effectively and sustainably. By championing designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and resourceful, he contributes to creating spaces that have a positive and lasting impact.
Cherdkiat Kunchart (Balloon): Leading with an Understanding Heart
As a marketing communicator for Nippon Paint Decorative Coatings Thailand, Balloon has spent four years with the company, bringing the brand’s promise and values to life through powerful storytelling. A firm believer in inclusivity and authenticity, he has seen firsthand how mentorship naturally takes shape through collaboration and a shared belief in making a positive change that goes beyond just paint.
He found guidance from senior leaders crucial when communicating two emotionally charged CSR initiatives: the “We Do Good with Our Hearts” campaign, celebrating His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday with a donation of over 10 million baht in paint to renovate over 300 bridges, and a rapid-response effort to help communities rebuild after massive floods in Northern Thailand. Tasked with telling these sensitive stories, Balloon received simple yet effective advice from his mentors: “Understand first. Then speak”. This empowered him to craft messages that were both sincere and respectful.
This mentorship reshaped his entire approach, teaching him that compelling storytelling begins with deep empathy. He learned to see every initiative through the eyes of all stakeholders. This lesson was reinforced by the communities he served, whose resilience and quiet strength in moments of crisis mentored him in return, teaching him to stay grounded and listen with intention. For Balloon, this two-way exchange has become the foundation of his leadership, proving that when engagement and mentorship come together, we nurture growth for all.
Saima Khalid: Cultivating Change Through Empathy and Ownership
As she approaches her fourth year in Brand Marketing at Nippon Paint Pakistan, Saima Khalid finds a deep sense of purpose in leading the company’s CSR programmes. For her, creating a tangible impact as a woman for other women is a powerful motivator. This personal drive is the foundation of her work on Nippon-Nisa. This pioneering programme empowers underprivileged women by training them as certified paint applicators, challenging traditional industry norms in the process. Despite its mission, the programme faced a significant hurdle: recruiting women who were often hesitant to join.
The breakthrough came not from a conventional strategy but from the key leadership quality Saima has learned to value most: empathy. She realised that “really being there and listening closely” was the only way to understand the community’s cultural challenges and provide a fitting solution. Guided by her mentor, Mr. Samad, Saima and her team developed an innovative approach. They identified and engaged trusted “community mobilisers” whom the local women knew and were comfortable speaking with, successfully bridging the recruitment gap.
This experience solidified Saima’s leadership philosophy. With the first cohort of trainees successfully recruited, she now leads by example, discussing community findings with her team to highlight the importance of an empathetic approach. The work has, in turn, made her a more humble and grateful leader. By fostering teamwork built on clear communication and a shared goal, she continues to create a lasting legacy of empowerment and positive change.
