After the Lehman brother’s clash in 2008, Mr. Inamori* made a speech for Seiwajuku members, most of whom are business leaders of small to middle class companies in Japan, to demonstrate the fundamental values for us to figure out the direction to head under the unpredictable crisis.
I summarized the following points incorporating my views.
1 Explore internal “true-self”, find out “what I really want”
2 Discover what are already given to us
3 Keep endeavor towards the continuous improvement
4 Treasure difficulties given to us
5 Look at universal system surrounding human being
1 Explore internal “true-self”, find out “what I really want”
Mr. Inamori mentioned the CEOs who behaved greedy under the financial crisis followed by the Lehman Brothers clash. Mr. Richard Fuld, the former Lehman CEO got almost 350 mil USD for the compensation after 2000 till the crisis. This is not the attitude of business leaders who were blamed for the negative financial results, Mr. Inamori pointed out.
I have checked what happened to Mr. Fuld. He started his own asset management company, who presumably is managing his own assets. After 2008, I assumed he tried to be back to the higher position in the actual business field but could not. Around 2015, he sold his personal assets then in 2016, he started his business. Therefore, I got the above idea.
What interests me is his word around he said the clash: “I am the most hated gay in the U.S. From those words, I feel he insists on “being hated”, having a fear of “being a target of a hostile”, and fundamentally “a strong desire for being loved”. Mr. Fuld should have faced his internal true self. In other words, what he really wanted.
I feel as many counseling/ coaching approaches encourage, by exploring ourselves internally, that we would naturally become humble, spontaneously feel gratitude towards people surrounding us, and respect for the people who have supported us.
This is very important to survive under the crisis as we can naturally get the others’ help.
2 Discover what are already given to us
Let’s keep talking about Mr.Fuld’s case. Based on the above assumption, he had always been obsessed with the idea : no one actually loves me. By facing himself, he would be able to find his obsession. As a matter of fact, a lot of love he had already got in his life. Being humble may allow him to find out only he had been the one who kept himself blind. His own mind created his world and developed the illusion of his own enemies.
Self reflection, having an internal dialogue may lead us to realize who we are, and we have already had a lot of things much more precious than monetary rewards.
Mr. Inamori said “The key towards enlightenment is discovering what you have already been given, how you can help others, and how we would be fulfilled together.”
for the tips No 3 to 5, I will explain in the next blog.
Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com
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