―Originality and innovation oriented―　philosophy, “Seek originality, Be innovative “

Inamori shared his views with Seiwajuku members with regard to this motto: -Seek originality, Be innovative -, What Inamori mentioned is quoted with “”.

“Since its founding, Kyocera has valued originality and competed with our own technology rather than imitating others. We were happy to have challenging orders that our competitors had declined. We have worked hard to complete such impossible missions and created our innovative culture and creators’ spirits. For example,the development of the multi-layer package, which received the Okochi Memorial Special Production Award and the Minister of Science and Technology Minister’s Prize, had been invented under such conditions and that technology also allowed Kyocera to make a dynamic growth. We always have pushed ourselves to complete the mission no matter how hard it looks. Additionally,the accumulation of each step will eventually lead to a wonderful imagination.”

Here, Mr. Inamori talks about how Kyocera has enhanced its originality. At the start up, he took the requests from their client and completed such hard tasks. This looks like the scene where you make ropes to tie up the thief just after you’ve found him. This strategy eventually worked to raise such- innovation and originality driven culture – among the company.

In fact, we know that originality is very important, however, most people are reluctant to challenge simply due to the fear of failure. In order to eliminate that fear, I think the tips below are important.

Let me xplain one by one

1 Specify what you afraid of

Humans try to escape from the fear of death. So it’s important to understand that even if you can’t complete this mission, your life won’t be taken. Specifying fears and objectively analyzing how possible such the worst scenario occurs works to reduce the anxiety.

What’s more, even if you fail to complete the task, you will never lose your job. I think it is important to make staff feel that they can grow and gain confidence by taking on challenges with this leader, and that working together with this leader seems to be really exciting.

2 Push yourself in the hardest position

Inamori said as follows.
“There is always a way out even if you get stuck. In other words, I had unintentionally pushed myself into hardships, where I had to create a new technology. For example, think about being provided a splendid research institute, given abundant research funds and excellent human resources from top universities, then you are asked to conduct a certain research. On the other hand, assume the condition where your creation is actually the matter of survival: you must invent something new otherwise you and your staff are to starve. The energy and seriousness are so different in those two circumstances. When I said to our client that we were definitely able to deliver the products you want, I was lying, however experiencing success in creating new technologies under such pressures eventually allowed us to develop unique and innovative technology. At the time of delivery, I am no more lier as I delivered what I promised. ”

Also, when Kyocera was expanding their overseas businesses, he said to the local staff who were reluctant to approach potential clients: “If you’re about to turn around, I’ll shoot you in the back. Do you want your opponents to shoot you from the front, or do you want me to shoot you on your back? ”

I think there are many ways to motivate staff. However, people under high pressure can deliver tremendous results. Therefore everyone’s energy is integrated and amplified in one direction, it would be the most powerful flow of energy.

3 Experience overcoming

Such a powerful flow of energy can always bring results. Via those breakthroughs, staff can establish a sort of self esteem. Even the staff members who were skeptical towards what Inamori said gradually came to realize that we are going to manage difficulties and deliver the product our client wishes. Experience rewrites memories under our subconscious minds, changes our mindset and finally drives our actions.

In a nutshell, when a new challenging order comes, by remembering similar experiences that they achieved in the past , staff can gradually come up with original ideas and naturally conduct new workflows.

4 Purify our souls

Once before, Mr. Inamori came to a staff whose experiments had repeatedly failed, Inamori asked, “Did you pray? Did you ask God?”
This sounds like a spiritual question but the actual intention of Inamori was the following.

Feelings and mentality appear in people’s actions and produce results. I think that’s why Mr. Inamori has been telling everyone to purify emotion and spirits over and over again.

In summary, originality is very important. However, people want manuals and stick to boilerplates that they have already been familiar with. I think the keys to getting out of such routines are specifying the anxiety, experiencing success under the toughest challenges and purifying our souls & minds.

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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