Importance to Value Each Team Member as a Manager - Precious Quotes of Panasonic Founder

Who is Konosuke Matsushita?

Konosuke Matsushita is a famous founder in Japan who founded a giant electronics company called Panasonic. Today we see many Panasonic products around the world. And, he was the one who started a company when he was 22. Initial business of the company was to produce and sell light bulb sockets.

He is often known as the "god of management" in Japan. As people describe him as a god of management, he left great quotes and provided great tips of management. Today, I would like to introduce some of his quotes regarding managing a team.

How should we manage a team?

It is obvious that people can not do everything by themselves. Therefore, we need to form a team. And, the attitude of the manager reflects the achievement of the team. Konosuke Matsushita views how a team should be in this way.

Work can not be done by oneself. Also, one can not look after everything at once. Therefore, we need to ask each member to do their work on their responsibilities.
仕事は一人ではできない。一度に四方八方へ目をくばることもできない。それゆえに部下の人たちに、それぞれの責任でそれぞれの立場で仕事をしてもらう必要があるのである。

In the same story, he tells an interesting story about a company led by a president who is smart and has great knowledge. But since the president was the person who decides everything by himself not letting others decide, the company was not doing well. On the other hand, there was a president who was not that bright. However, since he asked his members to work together to make the company better, the company was growing.

This story shows how teamwork is important compared to a single talented member.

Power of people gather together

Konosuke Matsushita believed in the power of people gathering together. And, I think this is the reason why he says this.

It doesn't mean everything will go well just by gathering great and smart people. Even if it is the gathering of ordinary people, it will be quite effective if there is a good collaboration. A leader should know the greatness of people's collaboration.
立派な人、賢い人ばかりを集めたからといって必ずしも物事がうまくいくとは限らない。反対に平凡な人たちでも組み合わせよろしきを得れば、非常な成果があがる。そうした人の組み合わせの妙というものを指導者は知らなくてはならないと思う。

As a person pursuing business, it is important to deliver our service or product to the customers. Moreover, I think it is important to build a system which is effective no matter the ability of the members. And, in order to build such a system, I will need members' knowledge, experience and insights. I believe the business is the continuous journey to find an effective system to grow the business.

In addition, he also points out the importance of training.

Making good products is the mission of the company. But, we also need to train people who pursue it. If people are trained enough, great products should be made naturally.
いい製品をつくることが会社の使命ではあるけれども、そのためにはそれにふさわしい人をつくらなければならない。そういう人ができてくれば、おのずといいものもできるようになってくる。

I translated it as train but this train doesn't mean only for a technical aspect but includes the meaning of understanding the company's mission and vision. The point he wanted to say is that a great product comes from the well-being or passion of each member. Which means, each member's attitude or passion will be reflected into the product.

When to let member to be responsible

As a manager, it is always difficult to delegate. In HENNGE, we have the HENNGE way which says, "Ignite Changes to Learn from Mistakes Early". It simply means, just challenge. And, even if we fail, there will be learning. Therefore, managers in HENNGE have (or should have) a mind of letting members be responsible and try.

In a similar way, Konosuke Matsushita says in this way.

For my case, I will make the person responsible if there is around 60% of chances to be successful. Then, in most cases, it will go well.
私の場合、この人だったらだいたい六〇パーセントぐらいいけそうだと思ったら、もう適任者として決めてしまう。そうすると、結構うまくいく場合が多い。

Recently, I am often surprised to see the creativity of members. And, if I let members do, there are more accomplishments in the way I never expected. Of course, as the manager, I need to be responsible for all the results including failures. And indeed, Konosuke Matsushita also says "任せて任さず" (Make responsible but not to make responsible). This means, the manager will let the member be responsible for the task. However, the manager is still responsible for the result.

We are now living in a world where the future is unpredictable. However, I believe, if we believe in the power of people gathering together, any issue can be conquered and be able to move forward.