Managing for Creativity in Japan Talking with Foreign Executives in Japan
Facilitation
Be the Template Bringer
“….If you as a manager provide a template or formula and say ‘go for it’, they’ll do a beautiful job…..”
A Hands-On Management Environment
“….The amount of time spent face-to-face in Japan is probably double or triple what a Westerner would expect from their manager….”
Being a Change Agent
“…it would be very difficult for a Japanese manager to reverse his whole set of behavioural characteristics and suddenly become a change agent…..”
Characteristics of a Successful Manager
“….there is probably a heavier emphasis on the ability to trust and rely on others, and to listen intuitively…..”
Recognition for a Job Well Done
“Although it is a performance based system people are driven by different motivators. People don’t perform well in order to get a move or a promotion; they do it to get recognition for a job well done. This is why we don’t give tips in Japan – you take pride in your work. Those kinds [...]
Development of a Manager
“Look at the development of a Japanese manager. You’re growing up as a colleague. Promotion is based on age and stage seniority. It’s still not (although they do have some merit-based systems now) driven by performance bonuses. Your actual performance is not the real indicator for your promotion; the real indicator is just being there [...]
The Purpose of Meetings
“The purpose of meetings is intrinsically different in Japan. Westerners go to meetings to brainstorm, discuss, and hammer things out and decide things. Japanese go to meetings to confirm what has already been agreed, and I think a lot of foreigners never figure that out. So as a manager it’s absolutely critical that you get [...]
