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Jebsen & Jessen Group's Global Group Talent Senior Manager shares why creating a safe environment, embracing a growth mindset, and using practical learning approaches can help people build new skills and drive better business outcomes.
For Tharathorn Suksawad (Korn) (pictured above), Global Group Talent Senior Manager at Jebsen & Jessen Group, learning is not defined by the number of training hours completed. Instead, it begins with creating a safe environment where people feel confident enough to try, experiment, make mistakes, and improve.
With more than 15 years of experience across learning and development, talent management, performance management, and organisational development, Korn has built his career around helping organisations develop stronger capabilities and leadership pipelines. Today, he leads talent and leadership development initiatives across Jebsen & Jessen Group's business units and countries, drawing on his passion for innovative learning experiences, emerging technologies, future workplace trends, and modern talent practices to shape organisational capability.
That philosophy is deeply rooted in his own journey. Inspired by his mother's belief that "Just because you cannot do something today does not mean you cannot do it tomorrow." as well as managers who trusted him to take on unfamiliar challenges, Korn has embraced a growth mindset throughout his career. Those experiences have shaped the way he develops others today, encouraging team members to step beyond their comfort zones.
Ahead of Learning & Development Asia 2026, Malaysia, Korn chats with Emily Chong-Gupta about how organisations can move beyond traditional classroom-based training by adopting more practical and engaging learning approaches. From micro-learning nudges and hybrid learning experiences to real business case studies and practice-based development, he hopes attendees will leave with actionable ideas to make learning more relevant, and create a closer connection between learning and business outcomes.
Read full interview below.
Q Which L&D principle has most influenced how you help others or yourself learn best?
One of the greatest lessons I have learned from both my current and previous managers is the importance of creating a safe environment where people can learn, experiment, and grow. They consistently gave me opportunities to take on new challenges including areas where I had little experience or confidence at first. The trust they placed in me has played a significant role in shaping who I am today.
There were times when I felt uncomfortable stepping outside my comfort zone. However, they continuously encouraged me to give it a try and reminded me that growth comes from taking on challenges. Most importantly, they gave me permission to fail.
Knowing that I could always reach out for support, guidance, or simply a helping hand made those challenges much less intimidating. It truly felt like a safe space to learn.
This experience has strongly influenced how I support my own team today. I try to create the same environment by giving team members opportunities to try new things especially in areas where they may not yet feel confident. From my experience, the lessons people gain through hands on practice and real challenges are the most memorable and impactful.
Q Who has been a mentor or coach to you personally, and what is a timeless lesson they taught you?
My mother.
When I was growing up, my mother often told me, "Never look down on yourself. Just because you cannot do something today does not mean you cannot do it tomorrow." Looking back, she was probably my very first growth mindset coach.
That simple message has stayed with me throughout my life and career. It taught me that learning takes time, effort, and patience. If there is something I want to achieve, I need to give myself the opportunity to learn, practice, make mistakes, and keep improving. Eventually, I will get there.
This belief continues to guide me today, not only in my own development but also in how I work with others. I remind people that capability is not fixed. With the right mindset and persistence, people can often achieve far more than they initially believe possible.
Q What is an unexpected or interesting skill you have picked up that colleagues may not know about?
About six or seven years ago, I enrolled in an online baking course simply out of curiosity. What started as a hobby quickly became a serious learning project. I spent countless hours practicing, experimenting, and learning through trial and error.
Eventually, I became confident enough to sell my bakery!! During the pandemic, after finishing my workday, I headed straight to the kitchen, prepared orders, and ran a small online baking business. It was a fun and rewarding experience that even helped me earn some extra income.
Although I no longer bake commercially, I still enjoy it as a hobby whenever I have free time. Looking back, the experience also taught me an important lesson: whether it is baking or professional development, learning requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Q In fewer than 10 words, what is your number one motto for helping people and teams grow?
Keep going, keep growing.
Q Quick preview of your session at Learning & Development Asia: What is the one key takeaway you hope attendees will gain?
The business world has changed a lot and so has the way people learn. Traditional classroom-based training alone is no longer enough to meet the needs of today's fast-moving workplace.
In my session, I will share how our organisation has experimented with different learning approaches to help employees build skills more effectively. This includes shifting from lengthy training programs to targeted micro-learning nudges that employees can consume and apply in minutes.
I will also discuss how we are strengthening mid-management development through hybrid learning experiences, real business case studies, and practice-based learning formats that build execution capability, leadership presence, and decision-making skills.
My hope is that attendees leave with practical ideas on how to make learning more relevant, engaging, and connected to real business outcomes.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Emily Chong-Gupta. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any talent solutions and products that you'd like to showcase, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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