The Enduring Traits of Great Leadership with David Thomas

Original production by Thrive HR Exchange
Hosted by Matthew Chapman, Co-creator of Thrive HR Exchange and Founder of ChapmanCG

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Just as many aspects of business have been redefined by COVID-19, so too has there been a shift in perspective in what makes a truly great leader. While empathy, resilience and agility are emerging as very important, there are many traits that are enduring and that existed well before the pandemic crisis.

David Thomas, whose HR portfolio encompasses HSBC’s Asia Pacific region of 65,000 employees, shares some of the tremendous insights and lessons born of COVID-19 crisis management.

He highlights:

• What the future of leadership looks like; from must-have traits to the importance of learning development.

• His top three tips in managing a successful HR function during challenging times.

This conversation was filmed in November 2020.

Guest Bio:

David Thomas is a Group General Manager and the Regional Head of Human Resources, Asia Pacific at The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. He joined HSBC in May 2019.

Prior to joining to HSBC, David was the Senior Vice President, Head of Human Resources, Asia at Manulife Financial (Hong Kong) since 2014. He worked for Standard Chartered prior to joining Manulife and held a variety of positions there since 2002. His previous roles include Global Head of Country Human Resources and Group Head, Employee Relations, Executive Vice President and Head of Human Resources for Standard Chartered Bank (Korea), Regional Head of Human Resources (MESA and Africa), and Global Head of Organisational Effectiveness Group Functions. He has also worked at Royal Bank of Scotland/Natwest, The Chase Manhattan Bank, and British Steel.

David is a Member of Joint Management Board of British Consulate in Hong Kong and a Member of Male Allies Leadership Council, The Women’s Foundation, Hong Kong.

He has a Bachelor of Management Science Degree from Aston University, Birmingham, UK, and a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management from the University of Wales, Cardiff, UK. He has also attended executive development programmes at Harvard Business School, University of Oxford, Cranfield School of Management, and IMD Business School. David is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Personnel and Development.

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