In this blog post, we’ve compiled insights from various lectures aimed at CEOs to outline the core qualities and practical methods CEOs should adopt, covering leadership, organizational management, note-taking habits, and social responsibility.
Noblesse Oblige
Hello. You are individuals who have achieved social prestige, success, and wealth. What I would like to emphasize to you today is noblesse oblige—the duty of the privileged—which entails leading by example and fulfilling social and moral responsibilities.
A society where noblesse oblige is taken for granted is likely to be an advanced society, and the nation will grow stronger and more prosperous as a result. However, it is truly shameful that a recent study found South Korea’s Noblesse Oblige index to be among the lowest among OECD countries.
The influence you exert on society is incomparably greater than that of the average person. Philanthropy and good deeds go beyond mere monetary contributions; they serve as catalysts that generate positive ripple effects throughout society. Therefore, stricter ethical and moral standards are required of those in high positions.
You enjoy many privileges from society and are objects of admiration. If you use the wealth you currently enjoy not merely for personal comfort, but to contribute to the welfare of your neighbors and society, as well as to the nation’s strength, you will also earn the respect of the people.
There are many examples of prominent figures practicing noblesse oblige. Bill Gates’ philanthropy and Angelina Jolie’s volunteer work are widely known examples. I sincerely hope that your names will also be added to that list.
The Essence of Leadership
You, gathered here today, serve as the heads of your companies and play a central role in your organizations. You likely carry many concerns and stresses, but ultimately, it is the leader’s qualities and capabilities that determine the organization’s overall direction.
What is true leadership? A leader must possess the discernment to recognize talent, the ability to coordinate people, and the skill to place individuals in the right positions and roles. The ability to attract and retain talent is the very foundation of a company’s competitiveness.
Fairness is the cornerstone of leadership. When dealing with talent, there must be no bias or favoritism; only by treating everyone fairly can trust and unity within the organization be fostered. A company can only attract talent if it has good leaders.
Leadership Styles and Lessons
There are various types of leaders. Looking back to the classics and taking the leaders of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms as examples, there is much to learn from their distinct styles. Liu Bei was a tolerant and humble leader who was skilled at attracting and coordinating people.
Cao Cao was a strict and decisive leader who, when necessary, offered extraordinary rewards to recruit talent. His methods may have seemed ruthless at times, but they ultimately attracted outstanding talent. On the other hand, Sun Quan was a quiet strategist who relied on trusted advisors and was skilled at assessing situations.
The common lesson from these three figures is “how to manage people.” The ability to observe people, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and appropriately assign and coordinate them is the key that determines an organization’s success or failure.
In contrast, Zhang Fei serves as a prime example of a failed leader. Though brave, he ruled his soldiers with harsh discipline and punishment, ultimately losing his life at the hands of one of his own men. We must learn from Zhang Fei’s example that the whip is not the only solution.
Wit and Atmosphere Management
Another quality a leader must remember is wit and resourcefulness. I once marveled at a scene from a wolf documentary I saw on TV.
Instead of using force to quell a dispute within the pack, the alpha wolf defused the tension with a playful gesture—a scene that reminded me of the importance of shifting an organization’s atmosphere.
Humans are social animals easily influenced by the atmosphere around them. At a tense moment when the company’s morale is on the brink of collapse, a leader’s witty remark and flexible response can restore the morale of the entire organization and boost productivity.
The Balance Between Harmony and Growth
A common dilemma many business owners face is how to achieve both growth and harmony—catching two birds with one stone. If you push for growth with too much drive, harmony can be neglected; conversely, if you overemphasize harmony, there is a risk that the pace of growth will slow down.
A company never grows through the efforts of a single person alone. Synergy emerges when individual capabilities come together in harmony, and CEOs who have experienced this synergy invest more resources and energy into fostering team cohesion. Conversely, inexperienced CEOs tend to focus solely on short-term profits and growth.
Do not forget the balance between the carrot and the stick. It is difficult to build a sustainable organizational culture through coercion and punishment alone. When a company invests in the “carrot” that fosters employees’ voluntary participation and unity, it grows more robustly.
The Art of Note-Taking
For busy CEOs, the habit of taking notes is a simple yet crucial productivity tool. More important than the notes themselves is the habit of taking them consistently and reviewing them at least once. Without notes, even fleeting ideas can easily vanish.
There is no set method for taking notes. Choose whatever works best for you—pen and paper, voice recognition apps on your smartphone, audio recordings, excerpts from reading, a diary, or scrapbooking. However, since we always carry our smartphones these days, actively using voice recognition and note-taking apps can be particularly useful.
Since audio recordings or voice memos automatically include a timestamp, it’s easy to verify when and under what circumstances an idea originated. Please remember that these small notes can accumulate and eventually create a major turning point for your business.
Passion and Goal Setting
Many success stories share a common theme: “If you desire something earnestly, it will come true.” However, this doesn’t mean success comes solely from wishing; it requires setting specific goals and taking action based on your belief in those goals.
Set your goals as specifically as possible. For example, setting clear numerical targets and deadlines—such as “15% sales growth this year” or “becoming the industry leader”—increases the likelihood of achieving them. If you have the chance, I also recommend writing a diary entry for the future as if your goal has already been achieved.
Passion condenses positive energy and drives you to take action. Since positive energy has a much stronger ripple effect than negative energy, your chances of success increase when you desire something earnestly, visualize it concretely, and do your very best.
Innovative Management Practices
In modern society, time is divided into minutes and seconds. Against this backdrop, it may seem ironic that the busiest CEOs would gather in one place to discuss “leisure.” However, systematically incorporating leisure is one method of innovative management.
For example, one public corporation introduced a “focused work period” system, designating 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM as a time free of meetings and phone calls, allowing employees to focus solely on their work. While this system garnered media attention and became a hot topic, for it to succeed, it must be designed in a way that employees can accept and follow.
New initiatives can sometimes seem irrational and involve trial and error. Therefore, it is important not to make hasty judgments but to communicate sufficiently with employees and find a balance between leeway and efficiency.
Things a Leader Must Not Do
A CEO bears such heavy responsibilities that they may lie awake at night unable to sleep. There are certain things one must absolutely avoid in such a position.
First, you must avoid an attitude that obsesses over numbers and nitpicks over minor details.You must never lie. Trust is a leader’s greatest asset, and a lie can destroy that asset in an instant.You must not repeat the same mistakes. A leader must maintain an attitude of learning from mistakes and making improvements.You must not become complacent with your title. Do not be satisfied with the title of “CEO of Company X”; instead, you must constantly strive for growth to become a better leader.It is wrong to prepare excuses or justifications in anticipation of failure. Honestly acknowledging failure and taking responsibility fosters organizational growth.Stealing credit for others’ achievements must never be tolerated. Fair evaluation and appropriate recognition maintain trust within the organization.Do not allow yourself to be distracted by internal conflicts or office politics. An organization cannot survive if it makes choices that harm the whole for the sake of small, immediate gains.Finally, always maintain a broad perspective. A broad perspective is the foundation for fostering the long-term growth of the company and its members, rather than being swayed by short-term judgments.Conclusion and AcknowledgmentsThe influence you wield has a significant ripple effect on society and the nation. I hope that the words I have shared today will be of practical help to you in building your leadership, managing the company, and forming personal habits.I sincerely thank each of you for taking the time to read this message amidst your busy schedules. I believe that your generosity, good deeds, and fair leadership will guide our society toward a better future.
