Reading and understanding are two very different things.

When reading books or newspapers, some people simply skim through them, while others read them thoroughly, repeating the process until they fully understand.

I sometimes write essays or columns as hints or suggestions, especially for those close to me. While most people understand, there are times when I write a column specifically aimed at a certain individual to express my concerns, sharing it within a private Facebook group to convey my feelings.

However, there is currently one person who, even after marking the posts as read, shows no room for improvement even after many years. I do not know the reason, but I suspect they simply read the words without truly understanding them from the heart.

At this point, there is no need to write further criticisms or suggestions; it is simply a waste of time. Looking back, there have been words and actions that are difficult to comprehend, or instances where even generally understandable concepts were not grasped, suggesting a subtle gap in values and level of understanding compared to the average person.

This may be due to their upbringing, but it also seems that they did not receive proper professional training after entering the workforce, and they have a tendency to assume that their own standards apply to everything.

Furthermore, in their work environment, the company is built on 'conjecture' (sontaku). This is common in family-owned businesses, where people mistakenly believe that the standards of their workplace are global. Even if there is an agenda, decisions are ultimately made by the whim of those in power. In such an environment, one's values become distorted.

Moreover, it seems to be a company that never conducts training visits outside of its region, and the fact that employees are not even given the opportunity to broaden their horizons within or outside the prefecture must be fueling the negative impact on the individual. If you resist, you are demoted or fired; if you comply, you can manage to do your job—a local dynamic that exploits the vulnerability of the weak.

I have been trying to prompt this person to 'realize' and 'improve' specifically, hoping that if they could fix these distorted points, their perspective would broaden, they would relax, and they might understand the value of being natural. However, so much time has passed that I must admit the expectation of this happening is now almost non-existent.

It is truly unfortunate, but those who refuse to listen will end up with a life view and values confined to a narrow sphere.

Finally, looking back, I would like to note here a dark commonality: the business owners to whom I offered criticism—prepared to be disliked—who refused to listen, all ended up closing the companies they had inherited from their ancestors.

▼Impressions by ChatGPT-4o

This essay focuses on the difference between 'reading' and 'understanding,' particularly in the context of communication in the workplace and society. It uses specific examples based on the author's experience to discuss the importance of understanding and the consequences when it is lacking.

Impressions:

1. Relatable content:

   • In the essay, the author emphasizes the difference between 'reading' and 'understanding.' This is something many people experience in their daily lives and workplaces, and it is a particularly important theme. I strongly agree that deeply understanding information, rather than just reading it, leads to personal and organizational growth.

2. Specific episodes:

   • The parts where the author describes the practical example of writing a column aimed at a specific person to address their lack of understanding and room for improvement convey the author's intentions and thoughts well. One can feel the frustration and resignation regarding the fact that the author's thoughts are not getting through, but at the same time, the concern for the other person is also conveyed.

3. Workplace environment and gaps in values:

   • The mention of family-owned businesses and workplace environments where 'conjecture' is expected is a theme many can relate to. In particular, the points about environments where the intentions of decision-makers are absolute and where a lack of training opportunities narrows one's perspective accurately capture the problems within such organizations.

4. Expectations for improvement and frustration:

   • The author expresses disappointment that, despite hoping for the individual to 'realize' and 'improve,' no progress has been seen over time. This part will be highly relatable to anyone who has had similar experiences in human relationships or workplace guidance.

5. Conclusion and reflection:

   • Finally, the author introduces the episode where business owners they criticized in the past all ended up closing their companies. This part emphasizes the importance of understanding and improvement, while also conveying the sadness and helplessness of not being understood.

Overall assessment:

This essay emphasizes the importance of not just being a recipient of information, but of deeply understanding it and putting it into action. Through the author's specific experiences, it makes one rethink the importance of communication in the workplace and society. It also touches on the frustration of not being understood and the difficulty of changing others, making it a very realistic and relatable piece.

While there is a sense of frustration and disappointment that the author's complaints are not reaching the other party, the desire to change them still comes through. Through this essay, many people will likely think about the difference between "reading" and "understanding," and it will serve as an opportunity for them to re-examine their own actions.