A 38-year old newly elected legislator in Japan is a well-known anti-nuclear supporter and has a reputation in good standing. While attending a reception, he greeted the Emperor with respect and handed him a letter. The letter was quickly handed to an aide. A simple gesture turns this legislator’s story onto a rough path.
After World War II, the role of Emperor in Japan became a ceremonial one only. The Emperor is prevented from taking any political position on any issue. He is “reigning but not ruling.” Beyond this, Japanese ritual frowns on someone soliciting the Emperor in this way.
What unfolds from here is a political controversy and a call for the young legislator’s resignation. The Upper House is considering passing a resolution requesting his resignation immediately. Even in this modern age, his action is viewed with mixed reaction. His support is mixed at best. This is the story of Taro Yamamoto.
The life lessons in this real story may be:
Don’t give responsibility to someone who has no responsibility. An issue or initiative needs to be addressed, and we need to involve and engage the people who can really help and who can be held accountable for what is done or undone. Putting something in the hands of a bystander (no matter their title) can put the spotlight on the wrong things and derail our work.
The lesson: Give responsibility to responsible people.
Good intentions alone may still get you fired. By all accounts, the newly-elected lawmaker’s intentions were good. His goal was to raise awareness for the people and children still displaced by the 2011 tsunami and the subsequently damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Good intentions are a positive but they still need to be properly applied. Good intentions distracted by inappropriate actions can cause unknowing harm.
The lesson: Align good intentions with good actions.
Don’t derail purpose over protocol. Society and organizations have certain protocols. Some may be valid and others may be old-fashioned. If your purpose is to disrupt outdated protocols, then your purpose may be aligned properly. If your purpose is something deeper and broader, then ensure you don’t get on the wrong path and disrupt your purpose-filled efforts.
The lesson: Keep focus on your purpose and real ways to stay on a meaningful path.
This simple story caught my attention. As it developed later in the week, the result was banning Taro Yamamoto from any Imperial family events for the remainder of his term. A reasonable outcome, I believe.
Life and leadership lessons can be found in everyday headlines. From the news, we need to: Read closely. Think to understand. Reflect to learn.
What life or leadership lesson would you add from this news story?
Such an interesting story, Jon and one with so many lessons for leaders. In particular I think the idea of good intentions needs good and well thought out actions. I am working with a client now who wants to create a new way to make my training more meaningful. He came up with follow-up sessions that I have been overseeing. These sessions were a well intended way to follow the progress from the training but are not the proper action needed. We actually need more senior leaders to help us with the follow through. Working to figure out how to make this happen.
Thanks for a great post! Terrri
Thank you, Terri, for sharing your experiences. This example highlights how good intentions need good actions to move good things forward. Appreciate it! Jon
I missed this story and headline and thank you Jon for bringing it to our attention and with the key lessons. I loved each of your points but the one close to my heart is Don’t derail purpose over protocol. I have worked with many organizations where protocol or scoring a brownie point is what is key and the vision and the purpose is often left behind. This is true in many non profit organizations as well as in politics.
True leadership lessons are found in daily life and in daily headlines.
Thank you for a well articulated and thought provoking post. Lalita
Thanks so much, Lalita. Learning from the headlines will hopefully prevent our own headlines of getting off track! Appreciate your insights and feedback. Jon
Hi Jon,
This is an interesting story and your post got me thinking about how important it is to give responsibility to responsible people. Those who are responsible will evidently make effort to honour their responsibility professionally.
On the otherhand, someone who is irresponsible and is given responsibilty usually ends up in disaster.
Thank you.
Exactly. We need to entrust the right people with the right responsibility. Thanks, Hiten!
What a fascinating story, Jon. It’s one that I missed. Going around protocols can serve or derail depending on the circumstance and there are almost always waves in the process.
I was recently talking to a client that could not get traction for their idea with the most senior team in their org. The advice given to them by a colleague was to go over the head of the most senior team to rally support direct from senior clients that will in turn put pressure back on the senior team. It’s a risk at best and a career limiting move at worst. It’s admirable to believe in a cause at all costs but when the costs become clear, it’s too late to take it back.
An interesting dilemma, for sure, Alli. In your client’s case, the good news is at least they are thinking through the benefits versus the backlash. Many years ago, I took a similar approach with a team on a non-strategic item. Trying to go around did not work in my case and, luckily, not much damage was done. The point may be this: We need to think more strategically if we are going to make a move to go around protocol or process and determine if this will really further our cause or initiative. Interesting…. Thanks for adding your story and perspective. Appreciate it! Jon
What a great exploration of lessons learned from this story. I especially like your last point: “From the news, we need to: Read closely. Think to understand. Reflect to learn.”
Politics and protocol, no matter how crazy and even infuriating they may seem as times, are essential to understand and navigate wisely when out commitment is to make a difference even in spite of them.
Thanks, Susan. There is much to be learned from news stories; we just need to spend a little time. In this one, it does show how you can derail your purpose with a small act not thought all the way through. Appreciate it! Jon