TROY – The chief operating officer for Hyundai Motors in America told Troy University students interpersonal skills were vital to success in the business world.

Keith Duckworth, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor America and acting chief operating officer of Hyundai America, Inc., spoke to Sorrell College of Business students during its convocation Wednesday morning. The College of Business Convocation is part of the Visiting Distinguished Lecturers Series. The convocation also allows executives to become familiar with TROY and its students. 

“Most (new employees) fail because of interpersonal skills,” he said. “Technical knowledge isn’t the most important thing starting out, it’s how you deal with other people and how effectively you communicate.”

Teamwork, he said, along with a positive attitude, constant self-evaluation and ethics are also keys to success.

“Education of the mind but not in morals is a menace to society,” Duckworth said.

Hyundai, which operates a $1.1 billion manufacturing facility near Montgomery, employees about 55,000 people world wide. Duckworth, a California native, joined the automaker in 1989.

He challenged TROY students to make the most of their educational time in college, and constantly ask “what did I learn” from each encounter.

“This is a golden opportunity. Take the time to meet your professors and discuss issues with them,” he said. “It’s so valuable to get another perspective.”

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