Episode #207: What Sports Can Teach Us About Leading In Japan

The classic movie half-time locker room Churchillian oratory from the coach, whipping the team into a frenzy for the coming onslaught is now gathering dust in Hollywood’s archives. Today’s most successful coaches are masters of human psychology, combining insight with superb communication skills. What about leaders in business in Japan?

In my experience, the Japanese model of sports leadership is antiquated, excelling in only one area - “gaman” - perseverance. Japan’s feudal militaristic regimes for leadership spill over into business from the domestic sports world. University “club” members know that age seniority, group dominance, rigid hierarchy and the suppression of the individual are the key leadership lessons learnt at varsity. Not a sparkling sport’s blueprint for leadership in the modern world of business.

The lesson for business in Japan is to train our leaders to motivate our teams, one person at a time, based on what that person finds motivational
Motivating others requires a good understanding of the interests and aspirations of that person. Communication skills and time invested in getting to know that person are critical. In a time-poor world however, of doing more, faster with less, we are skipping steps and rushing toward the finish line. We just don’t invest enough time in knowing our people. How many business leaders can you think of who are really great communicators or motivators? What about yourself?

Let’s all pause, reflect and commit to improve. We need to build business success through our people, individual by individual and the time to start is right now.