You Can Become a Millionaire If You Are Considerate of the Situations of Your Peers and Respect Their Position
Takanori Nakajo, Honorary Advisor of Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
■Japan Is Losing the Altruistic Mind
The trend of self-centered people who never consider others, rules
Although intellects are concerned about this state of affairs and passionately preach the importance of altruism, there are not only small numbers of people who do not get enlightened, not only among youngsters but also among the management of large-scale companies.
The ancient words of a sage cited in “I Ching”, one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts, preach that “what goes around comes around”, by teaching us to do lots of good for others, if you want to become happy. Such people (houses/companies) are sure to be blessed with fortune.
“The Analects of Confucius” also has a scene where one of Confucius’ disciples asks, “What is the most important thing among your teachings?” Confucius answered his question, saying, “I assume it is consideration.” In other words, he preaches that the most important thing is to have you in the opponent’s shoes and be considerate.
The same thing is underlined in modern business administration as well: You can’t win with “Product-Out” (producer/complacent mindset.) You can never win unless you are with “Market-In” (customer-centric.)
Even without theorizing like this, you can see it in the fact that the singer Haruo Minami*1, whose job totally depends on the number of his fans, shouted from the bottom of his heart, “My fans are my God.”
If you do business in a selfish way, you will end up bringing about your own ruin, like Horiemon of Livedoor*2 and Mr. Murakami of Murakami Fund*3. Even facing these incidents, people are not taking it as piercing reproach. This reality of
*1 Haruo Minami was an Enka singer famous for his message, “My fans are my God.”
*2Horiemon is a nickname of Mr. Takafumi Horie, the founder of the Internet service provider Livedoor Co. He was regarded as the icon of the new era of young entrepreneurs in
*3Mr. Murakami is the founder of Murakami Fund, which was famous as an activist fund. However, he was also arrested for insider trading in 2006 in relation to the Livedoor incident.
■Deal with Others Like a Spring Breeze
I was assigned to the role of Senior Sales Director when Asahi Breweries, Ltd.’s performance was at rock bottom. The presidents were selected from the then the Sumitomo Bank, Limited from generation to generation.
Other than those who joined the company from other companies, I was one of the top employees who had gone up the corporate ladder, and as such, I was in a position to revive the company, which hit rock bottom after being divided up into smaller companies by the American occupation forces. The world authority
During the course of this challenge, the employees tended to lose confidence. Upon such circumstances, I used to tell them the 10 important points of “You can become a millionaire if you are considerate of the situations of your peers and respect their position.” Let me share them with you.
1. The best way to understand your opponent’s feelings is with “love”
”Love” is based on considering in the opponent’s shoes. Love your customers. “Consideration” means to put your feet in the opponent’s shoes and consider their situation. Mother’s unconditional “love” that requires nothing in return is the best and pure.
2. “Courtesy” helps others as well as yourself
People can never live alone. The mind of being strongly conscious of the opponent is “benevolence.” The Chinese character of “benevolence” consists of the parts indicating “Human beings are two persons.” “Benevolence” is something that can not be seen but is rather a concept that takes form when it is revealed through “courtesy.” When you thank someone, do it quick even simple, instead of being polite but late. Using a fax machine is better than a phone.
3. Keep your promises
Just by keeping your promises, the opponent thinks that you value him or her. Promises of “nice to have someday…” are the kind of ones you have to make sure to keep. Although it might be easier to make a promise and break it later, don’t do it. Rather, have the courage to never make a promise that you can’t keep.
4. Become used to being scolded at. When you lose, you actually win
No matter how many blunders you may make, if you are used to being scolded at, you can gain favor in those who scold you. If someone scolds you, become closer to that person! Scolding you proves the fact that the person cares for you.
5. Undertake works casually, especially the ones that your opponents feel burdened with
Even a heavy work can get lighter if it is shared by two.
6. Whether or not “compliments” can reach your opponent’s heart depends on “your straight face”
You have the mouth in order to praise others. “Compliments” seriously thought out can work, even if they are not sophisticated. Focus on your peer’s virtues.
The abuse of “compliments” can have adverse effects. Be able to distinguish “praise” from “flattery.”
Nobody gets depressed by being praised. “Compliments” behind the scenes have an even more powerful effect than the “compliments” told in person.
7. Immediately put what you have leaned into use.
Make others think that you are worthy of receiving education. There is a substantial number of people who write letters to me immediately after listening to my lectures or reading my books, to tell me how much they were moved by them. I reply immediately as much as possible to encourage them.
This kind of sensitivity is equivalent to considering your peers’ feelings. It is such a simple logic that if you become humble, your peer’s position will elevate relatively.
8. Become the one to initiate
The greetings you instigate are hundreds of times more valuable than the greetings you make in response.
In
9. Those good at considering the opponent’s feelings know “the patience of time” and “the patience of preference”
The most excellent Japanese word to express the consideration of how the opponent thinks and perceives is “Sontaku (surmise).” If you pursue the heart of “benevolence”, you will reach “Sontaku.”
No matter how fun you think it is, keep your conversation less than half of the opponent’s. Even if you want to talk, hold your tongue, in order to sell Asahi beer. In other words, be a “good listener.”
10. The first step to being considerate of your peer’s feelings is to make your peer feel good
Consider your peer’s feelings even if that is your wife, child, or dog.
The Bible, which was born in the West actively teaches to “do what you want others to do unto yourself”, while the Eastern sages are a bit passive, teaching, “never do what you don’t want others to do to you.” What both have in common is the concept of “the important thing is to make the opponent feel good.”
I remember that Mr. Issai Sato*4 also preaches in his book, “Genshi-koroku*5”, to “Deal with others like a spring breeze, and watch out for yourself with rigidity like the autumn frost.” It is essential to be rigid to yourself like the autumn frost, and deal with others like a spring breeze and consider their feelings.
*4 Mr. Issai Sato (1772-1859) was a Japanese scholar who had taught around 6,000 students including those who became famous leaders later.
*5 “Genshi-koroku” is a generic name for his 4 books written in his later life over 40 years. The books are called as “the Bible for leaders” and beloved for long periods up to now.
【Conversation】
Be Desperate, and There Is Always a Way out of an Impossible Situation. Always Have Someone to Respect in Your Mind – Devoting Life to the Recovery of the Resona Group
Jiro Ushio (Chairman of USHIO INC.) ＆ Eiji Hosoya (Chairman of Resona Holdings, Inc.)
4 years ago, “the Resona Group” requested for an injection of public funds of 2 trillion yen, and was forced into nationalization. The direction of its recovery was an important issue, which could influence even the direction of the Japanese economy. As the instrument of change, Mr. Jiro Ushio singled out Mr. Eiji Hosoya, who had achieved remarkable results for the privatization of the national railways. How did Mr. Hosoya take advantage of the opportunity in the impossible situation? He looks back to the road of reform, together with Mr. Ushio.
【Conversation】
A Light Found in the Darkness
Hiroyuki Yoshiie (Head of the Education Rebuilding Council Office/Member of the Yokohama City Board of Education) ＆ Hiroyuki Sugimoto (CEO of S-GRANT.CO.,LTD.)
In
【Conversation】
How to Take Advantage of the Current Opportunity in This Country
Shoichi Watanabe (Professor Emeritus of Sophia University) & Terumasa Nakanishi (Professor of Kyoto University)
Currently, discussions are increasing in
The monthly “Chichi” is available only in Japanese.For further details regarding the contents of the magazine, please refer to Chichi WEB (Japanese version).
Special Feature: Taking Advantage of an
This is an anecdote of a Kabuki actor, Sojuro Sawamura the First*1, who made Genroku Kabuki*2 flourish. It was upon his final performance, where all the actors were quite nervous to support the brilliant close of the career of this master of Kabuki.
“Allow me to inform you. Allow me to inform you. Allow me…”
In a scene, one of the actors had forgotten his lines and got flustered. Sojuro, who noticed this, promptly said,
“It sounds like highly confidential. Come closer, come.”
With that, he invited the actor, who inched along toward Sojuro and whispered,
“I’m sorry. I forgot the lines.”
Sojuro listened to this with his hands over the ear, and then put his hands over the mouth and said,
“I think this is enough. Just say ‘That’s it, Sir’ and get yourself out of the stage. It will work.”
The actor raised his voice to say “That’s it, Sir,” and got himself out of the stage. It did work and the stage performance could go on.
I admire the prompt response of Sojuro, who had a quick wit and took advantage of the opportunity. It must be something that could be done because of his many years of discipline and magnanimity as a person.
*1Kabuki actors inherit their names, like Sojuro Sawamura the 2nd, Sojuro Sawamura the 3rd, etc.
*2Kabuki thrived during the Genroku period (1673–1735). The structure of a Kabuki play was formalized during this period. Conventional character types were determined.
When Mr. Gaishi Hiraiwa (Former President/Chairman of the Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated) was young, he worked as a secretary to the then president, Mr. Kazutaka Kigawada. During the period, when the president Kigawada tuned his face to Mr. Hiraiwa, he could tell what the president wanted to say, and what the president wanted him to do. He could enable such miracles, as he always tried to become single-minded with the president, and lived a time shared with the president.
”I Ching”, one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts, says, “Isn’t it the God who sees signs and can predict an incident faster than anyone else?” It also teaches us, “If you seize an opportunity, execute it immediately.”
Then, what should we do to take advantage of an opportunity? I believe the requirements can be summarized into the following 4 items.
The first item is “sincerity.” Work wholeheartedly, and you will see that “sincerity reaches heaven”, functioning like God. This is something everyone who lived seriously has been insisting upon since ancient times.
The next item is “agility.” You have to maintain a positive sense of tension, in order for you to have something that rings a bell. The following are the words of Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka*3.
“The core meaning of agility is to make your mind and body work, so as to be careful as much as you can, to be helpful, to serve frequently in order to make your life beautiful, for your work, for your friends, and for the world. In plain words, never slack off and always stay agile. Instead, you can substantially slack off when it comes to mundane things in the world.”
The third item is “commitment.” Surprisingly, people are not good at making commitments. “Shu Ching”, another oldest of the Chinese classic texts, says, “Everyone has his or her own important mission. However, there have not been many people who commit to the mission since olden days.” Most people end up lukewarm. However, there is a stage that only those who commit can reach.
The last item is “courage.” Be constantly active. If you hesitate, you can’t take advantage of an opportunity.
*3 Mr. Masahiro Yasuoka was a famous scholar of Oriental philosophy. He was a spiritual advisor to many high-ranking members of
Let’s learn how to take advantage of an opportunity from each life of those active in his or her own field.
Calendar
