2405 Reframing Thoughts: A Lesson in Leadership and Potential

Recently, I conducted an interview for a store manager position that left me pondering the nuances of leadership and the untapped potential in people. The candidate, a seasoned florist assistant of over 10 years, presented a unique blend of experience and wisdom, yet her focus during our discussion revealed an intriguing aspect of decision-making and self-perception.

The Encounter with Potential

The interviewee, 46, brought with her a lifetime of experiences – not just as a florist but as a life learner and a wife. Her background was rich, yet primarily tied to her role in the operational aspects of floristry. When presented with the opportunity for a permanent position as a store manager – a significant step up from her contract-based roles – her response was unexpectedly narrow, centered mainly on her apprehension about procuring flowers due to her driving skills and age-related concerns. Her questions and concerns remained firmly rooted in these operational details, without a leap into the broader scope of managerial responsibilities.

The Challenge of Reframing

This interaction highlighted a common hurdle: the difficulty in shifting one's perspective from a fixed, role-based mindset to a more expansive, strategic one. I realized that the challenge wasn't her skills or experience, but her self-imposed limits on what she believed she could achieve. To address this, I drew upon a concept I once explored in my blog: the power of reframing thoughts.

Learning from the Elevator Hole

I shared with her the story of the elevator hole problem from a previous blog entry – where users waiting at the elevator raised numerous complaints. The solution didn't lie in directly addressing the complaints but in reframing the approach to understand and solve the underlying issues more creatively.

Encouraging a Shift in Perspective

During our conversation, I encouraged her to think beyond the immediate problems, to see herself not just as someone who executes tasks but as someone who could lead, strategize, and innovate. It was about urging her to see her own potential, to visualize how her vast experience could translate into effective store management, and to understand that her age and experience were assets, not limitations.

Conclusion: Recognizing Hidden Gems

This interview was a reminder that sometimes, the best candidates are not those with the most direct experience, but those who show the potential for growth and adaptability. It also underscored the importance of leadership in recognizing and nurturing this potential. As business leaders, mentors, or colleagues, we must be adept at not only identifying but also encouraging this kind of transformational thinking – turning operational minds into strategic leaders.

2404: Embracing Simplicity in Life and Business

 

Effortless has been my guiding principle since the inception of this blog. It's more than just a concept; it's a way of life and, potentially, the cornerstone of my entrepreneurial journey. In this entry, I revisit this fundamental theme, exploring its deeper implications and how it can transform our approach to work and life.

The notion of 'effortless' might initially seem paradoxical, especially when considered as a company policy. At first glance, 'effortless' suggests a lack of effort, which could be misconstrued as promoting laziness or a lack of diligence. However, it's crucial to distinguish between 'effortless' and 'effortless thinking'. The former may imply inaction, but the latter is about finding smarter, more efficient paths to our goals.

My understanding of this concept deepened after reading Greg McKeown's "Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most". McKeown, also known for his work on essential thinking, offers a refreshing perspective. He challenges the conventional belief that hard work and success are directly proportional. While dedication is vital, it's not always about the amount of sweat and toil. Instead, it's about choosing the right approach.

Effortless thinking, as I interpret it, is about breaking free from fixed, effort-intensive methods. It's about being innovative and resourceful in our problem-solving strategies. It encourages us to question the status quo and to seek paths that save time, reduce costs, and conserve energy without compromising on the outcome.

The essence of effortless thinking lies in identifying a clear goal and then finding the most straightforward, least resistive path to achieving it. It's about working smart, not just hard. This principle can revolutionize company policies, fostering environments where creativity and efficiency are valued over mere hard work.

As I contemplate the journey of becoming an entrepreneur, I see 'effortless' not just as a personal policy but as a foundational principle for my future company. It will be a testament to the belief that success and efficiency can coexist harmoniously, where the focus is on achieving goals through the most effective and innovative means.

In conclusion, 'effortless' is about redefining our approach to challenges. It's a reminder that the path to success doesn't always have to be arduous. Sometimes, the best solutions arise from simplicity and a willingness to think differently. As I continue to embrace this philosophy, I invite you, my readers, to explore how 'effortless thinking' can transform your lives and workplaces too.

2403: Reevaluating Job-Based Work Styles in Japan: Adaptation and Challenges

In recent years, Japanese companies have been shifting from traditional membership-based employment to a more job-based work style. This approach, common in Europe and the United States, aligns with industrialization practices from the 19th century, forming a structured pyramid hierarchy to manage production based on specific procedures and guidelines.

As a manager in a global organization, I've experienced the benefits of this job-based structure firsthand. Launching projects and driving work forward feels natural, and there's a certain pride and sense of superiority in successfully implementing this system. I've shared my success stories, advocating for the job-based model on numerous occasions.

However, my perspective began to shift as I pondered over its suitability for Japanese companies, people, and culture. Hajime Ota, in his work "自営型で働く時代-ジョブ型雇用はもう古い！" (The Era of Self-Employment: Job-Based Employment is Outdated!), advocates for a self-employment-based approach. This prioritizes personal capability and development over the fixed responsibilities of job-based roles. The crux of his argument questions the adaptability of job descriptions in the rapidly changing business environment. Can they be updated frequently enough to stay relevant? In my experience, adjustments are made quarterly at best, typically aligned with performance reviews - hardly sufficient in a dynamic market.

Additionally, we must consider the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) environment. Fixed job descriptions, updated quarterly, may fail to prompt swift, appropriate action. A self-employed mindset, prioritizing agility and personal initiative, seems increasingly necessary.

In a previous post (No. 2304), I argued that clear job descriptions and defined responsibilities could prevent micromanagement. Only four months later, I find myself revisiting this stance. The unpredictable nature of VUCA situations can rapidly alter our strategies and beliefs.

Despite these reflections, I maintain that job descriptions are vital for efficient work in Japan. They can be highly effective across various industries and operations. However, the insights from Ota's book have led me to reconsider my rigid endorsement of job descriptions and job-based work styles. It's crucial to balance these with autonomy and empowerment, avoiding stereotypical approaches to management.

In conclusion, while the job-based model offers structure and clarity, it's important to blend this with the flexibility and personal initiative characteristic of self-employment. This hybrid approach might be the key to navigating the complexities of Japan's evolving business landscape.

2402: Reflecting on the Globalized World - A Personal Journey

Following my previous blog, No. 2401, where I discussed the acceleration of globalization in recent decades, I'd like to delve deeper into its effects on ordinary city life and lifestyles.

As a professional dedicated to globalization, I've always focused on maximizing work efficiency through learning lessons and encouraging standardization. This has been the cornerstone of my life's work.

Two decades ago, during my stay in a foreign country, everything seemed new and uniquely designed to local tastes and needs - from phones and toilets to baths, irons, and trains. The distinctiveness of each city was a source of fascination for me, a young twenty-something then. This uniqueness in industrialization and development was, in a way, a delightful part of my overseas experience.

However, over time, I've observed a significant reduction in this uniqueness. Now, wherever you go, you see global models like iPhones and Android phones, and cities often have stores like ZARA, GAP, and Uniqlo offering global line-ups. The spread of IKEA furniture, streaming music services, and even the intangibles like lifestyle influenced by social media platforms like SNS, YouTube, and Instagram, as well as mentality and culture, seem to have converged towards a 'global best practice.' This franchising and homogenization of global culture is a key aspect of globalization.

Recently, living in Setagaya, I've noticed changes even in the Soshigaya shopping street. What used to be unique, independent shops have been replaced by franchise stores, a trend that's been ongoing for decades.

The word 'autonomy' is fundamental, but I realize my role in globalization might inadvertently be diminishing the very uniqueness that sprang from autonomous spirits. This realization has led me to a new insight: how can I contribute to an autonomous society and organization while respecting their unique identities?

This is the question I now reflect upon and aim to address through my life's work in business. How can I redeem the loss of local uniqueness and autonomy that globalization might have caused? This is a challenge I am eager to tackle.

2401: Exploring the Fear of Totalitarianism in the Globalization Era

 As we step into a new year, I want to express my gratitude to all of you who have been following my journey and reading my blog. Your continuous support and engagement are deeply appreciated. Today, as you revisit this space, I am excited to share insights that I hope will contribute to making your work life both effortless and effective.

As a long-standing proponent of globalization within the Japanese community, I've often regarded it as a fundamental aspect of modern progress. Since the onset of my career in 1998, globalization has not only been my specialty but also an ideal I've ardently pursued.

I've always believed that anti-globalization, synonymous with localization, stands in stark contrast to global economic growth. However, recent reflections have led me to question globalization's almost totalitarian nature.

Globalization, by its nature, encourages operational unification, often minimizing bespoke procedures in favor of standardized ones. Intriguingly, this mirrors the essence of totalitarianism, which also seeks uniformity in operations and habits.

While I maintain a neutral stance on totalitarianism, its historical manifestations, from communism to fascism, cannot be ignored. Despite this, I deeply value individual philosophy, a cornerstone in countries like the USA, UK, and Japan, which fuels innovation and breakthrough solutions.

I must confess, as a globalist, I championed the widespread adoption of global guidelines and protocols, believing in their efficacy as best practices. This recent realization is shocking to me - that I may have inadvertently supported a form of totalitarianism, even though I deeply respect individualism.

In my next blog, I plan to delve deeper into the rapid spread of globalization over the past few decades, weighing its pros and cons. As a reminder, this blog series is not a critique of totalitarianism or communism including political parties, but rather an introspection on globalization and its consequences.