Leadership can only be cultivated within relationships

My Definition of a Leader Comes Down to These Three Things:

1. Delivering Results

2. Continuously Delivering Results

3. Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

A leader's mission is to ensure the survival and growth of their team or organization. But this is never something that can be achieved by the leader alone.


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1. Delivering Results

2. Continuously Delivering Results

Some leaders shine brightly for a moment--like fireworks--by delivering impressive results. However, in their obsession with outcomes, they may overwork the team, leaving no energy or resources to sustain success in the following year. In some cases, over-emphasizing internal competition undermines collaboration, weakening the social capital necessary for long-term performance.

Even if the leader themselves performs as a top individual contributor, if the rest of the team fails to grow alongside them, the team will not sustain long-term success.

So, what should a leader do?

The only way to ensure the team's growth and long-term viability is to enable others to succeed. One of the most important perspectives a leader must hold is this: "How can I help those around me thrive?"

To do so, a leader must understand the unique strengths, personalities, and capabilities of each team member. This is not about emotional attachment, empathy, or personal preferences. It is about putting aside likes and dislikes to focus on the growth of the whole team. That's the true responsibility of leadership. And to fulfill that, the leader must figure out how to maximize the potential of every member.

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3. Developing the Next Generation of Leaders

To sustain performance and ensure the organization's longevity, cultivating leadership within the team is essential.

This isn't about handing out titles or assigning authority. It's about instilling a leadership mindset in each team member--getting them to see things from a leader's point of view.

Of course, telling someone "you should think this way" doesn't instantly change their perspective. To change how someone sees, you must first change how they act.

One effective approach is to involve team members in helping others achieve their goals. If each person is only focused on their own targets and competing internally, even if overall numbers improve, true leadership will not take root. Giving younger team members opportunities to support others in reaching their goals is a powerful way to nurture leadership.

Leadership grows through relationships. It doesn't automatically develop after a few years in the company or just by attending a training session. Leadership must be cultivated from the moment someone joins the team--through real interactions and shared responsibilities.

As a leader, your team should be the soil in which leadership is nurtured. Encourage interest in others' goals. Foster a mindset that prioritizes the growth of the team as a whole.

And finally, the process of working closely with each member and helping them unlock their potential is, in itself, a powerful opportunity for the leader's own growth.

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Language: Japanese