Dr. Agapol Na Songkhla Launches Elephant Leadership Book at Shangri-La Bangkok

Dr. Agapol Na Songkhla launched the International Preview Edition of his book, Elephant Leadership: Humble Strength for Lasting Impact, on 19 October 2026 at Shangri-La Bangkok during the Iconic Leadership Team Summit 2026. The launch aims to share a leadership philosophy rooted in Thai wisdom with an international readership. At the event, global experts Brenda Bence and Dr. Peter Chee also joined to share their perspectives on people development, ahead of presenting the book to readers at the National Book Fair on 26 October 2026.

This step onto the international stage builds upon the success of the Thai-language edition, which reached number 1 on the bestseller list at Naiin bookstores. This reception reflects the interest of modern executives who prioritise people development and building collective strength within their organisations. The book focuses on passing on sustainable values through Thai cultural ways as a management guide for today's business world.

Leadership Philosophy from the Thai Elephant Symbol and People Development in the AI Era

Dr. Agapol Na Songkhla draws upon the characteristics of the elephant, which has a long-standing bond with Thai society, as the core framework to explain his management concept. Although elephants possess immense strength and grace, they use their power gently, intelligently and with close care and support for the members of their herd. The book therefore invites executives to reconsider their perspective: a leader's true strength is not measured by the power they hold, but by the strength they cultivate in others.

Amid economic uncertainty, the expectations of a new generation and the arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) that is rapidly transforming work, leaders must shift from focusing solely on self-development to helping those around them gain confidence and lead themselves. Dr. Agapol Na Songkhla has distilled his extensive professional experience into 8 core principles under the ELEPHANT concept to build sustainable strength. This approach helps organisations preserve their values and continuously nurture the next generation of leaders, even after the original leader is no longer there.

Perspectives from Global Experts in Branding and Coaching

At the launch event at Shangri-La Bangkok, 2 global experts reflected on the value of the book across 2 dimensions: Humble Strength and Thai Wisdom. Brenda Bence, ranked number 1 in the world for Branding in 2026 by Global Gurus and an international executive coaching specialist, noted that the concept of strength combined with humility serves as a reminder that leadership is not about making oneself indispensable to an organisation, but about helping others grow on their own. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Chee, ranked number 1 in the world for Coaching in 2026 by Global Gurus and Chief Executive Officer of ITD World, stated that the elephant is an animal respected and admired worldwide, making the use of the elephant as a metaphor for leadership a powerful way to connect Thai wisdom and culture with leaders around the globe.

Launch Event Details and Reader Meet-and-Greet Schedule

The insights from this launch event offer a relevant guide for hotel professionals, hospitality executives and event organisers who manage large teams amid change. The concept of building strength in colleagues with humility can be effectively applied to elevate service standards and collaboration across the travel, tourism and MICE sectors. Executives and travellers interested in developing leadership skills can find the book at the National Book Fair on 26 October 2026.