The Sense of Business Leaders as Seen by Tadashi Yanai, Chairman of Fast Retailing | Takenori Kusunoki | Ten Minutes TV

The Sense of Business Leaders as Seen by Tadashi Yanai, Chairman of Fast Retailing | Takenori Kusunoki | Ten Minutes TV

Strategies are not combinations, but permutations considering time. In fact, the depth and breadth of time account for 80% of strategic planning. People who can always say, "So, what?" and create a story have a sense. Those with a sense can abstract and grasp the logic by saying, "In short, it means this," regardless of the specific situation. Those who can keep that logic in mind and retrieve it in any situation have a sense of management. Sense refers to the large amplitude, high frequency, and fast speed of the oscillation between concrete and abstract.

Increasing Proactive Members! Designing Initiatives that Inspire Motivation

Interestingly, the "reluctance" is also an important motivation, as pointed out by the Russian developmental psychologist Lev Vygotsky. He states that there are "only understandable motives" and "really effective motives" in learning motivation. The understanding motives become effective motives when you diligently work on them. There are four routes to learning in a community of practice. Learning from seniors or master figures, expanding knowledge through the process of expanding personal networks, loop learning between the main organization and the community of practice, and learning through a comprehensive comparison of different perspectives and values. Number 2 refers to the increasing amount of knowledge available as the network expands. It's like saying, "I'll ask that person about that!"

Connecting the Dots: The Common Ground Between Tadashi Yanai and Lev Vygotsky

Although coming from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, Tadashi Yanai and Lev Vygotsky share some common points when it comes to leadership and motivation. Both emphasize the importance of abstraction and understanding in their respective fields.

Yanai believes that having a sense of management means being able to abstract and grasp the logic behind any situation. By understanding the underlying principles and being able to articulate them concisely, leaders can navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions. This ability to think in abstract terms allows them to see the bigger picture and connect seemingly unrelated dots.

Similarly, Vygotsky highlights the role of understanding motives in learning. He argues that true motivation goes beyond mere compliance or surface-level understanding. Instead, it involves a deep engagement with the subject matter, where the learner actively seeks to make sense of it. This intrinsic motivation drives individuals to explore and learn independently, leading to a more profound understanding and long-term retention.

Incorporating Unique Ideas and Insights: The Power of Designing Initiatives

One unique idea that emerges from Vygotsky's work is the concept of "reluctance" as a motivation. While it may seem counterintuitive, Vygotsky suggests that even negative emotions such as reluctance can serve as powerful driving forces for learning. When individuals overcome their initial resistance and engage with a task, they often discover its value and become genuinely motivated to excel. This highlights the importance of designing initiatives that can inspire intrinsic motivation, even in the face of initial resistance.

Taking Action: 3 Pieces of Advice for Business Leaders

1. Cultivate a sense of abstraction: Develop the ability to extract core principles and concepts from complex situations. By distilling the essence of a problem, you can find innovative solutions and make informed decisions.

2. Foster a culture of intrinsic motivation: Design initiatives and tasks that tap into individuals' natural curiosity and desire to understand. By creating an environment where people actively engage with their work, you can inspire them to go above and beyond.

3. Embrace initial reluctance as a potential catalyst: Instead of shying away from resistance or reluctance, see it as an opportunity for growth. Encourage your team to embrace challenges, knowing that the initial discomfort can lead to deeper engagement and motivation.

Conclusion

The sense of business leaders goes beyond mere intuition or a knack for making decisions. It involves the ability to abstract and connect concepts, understand the underlying logic, and inspire intrinsic motivation. By incorporating these insights from Tadashi Yanai and Lev Vygotsky, leaders can cultivate their sense and create an environment where individuals thrive and excel. So, let's embrace the power of abstraction, design initiatives that inspire motivation, and see reluctance as a potential catalyst for growth.