[MBA] Entrepreneurial Leadership Day 2: Invictus (Nelson Mandela)

Having graduated from Globis in 2024, I will look back on the subjects I have taken so far and summarize my learnings.
Let's enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime MBA experience!
※This article is a summary of my own learning and does not share the entire content of the class.

Class Content

This time, we delved into the life of South African President Nelson Mandela from the perspective of leadership.
We learned how he changed his way of thinking after 27 years of imprisonment and eventually grew into a leader who could move a nation.
We explored his qualities as a leader, his perspective on leading an organization, and his spiritual growth under extreme circumstances.

My Learnings and Application to My Company

What would happen if I were imprisoned?

Imagining the situation in which Mandela was imprisoned, I felt that the suffering must have been beyond imagination.
Deprived of freedom, separated from his family, and forced into grueling labor, he honed his spirit.
I am amazed that he reached a state of dedication to the nation that transcended feelings of revenge.

If I were locked in a small room for 27 years, what would happen to me? I would probably despair at first and be tormented by unbearable loneliness and anger. However, over a long period of time, I might re-examine my own values and beliefs and gradually reach a state of enlightenment.
Through this class, I reaffirmed that leadership is not about seeking short-term results, but about having a long-term perspective and training one's inner self.

People do not change easily

Through this class, I once again realized the fact that "people do not change easily."
Even after Mandela was released, the racial issues in South Africa were not solved overnight, and society changed over many years.

Here, I asked myself: "The past cannot be changed. So, what will I do from now on?" This is an important perspective for managing any organization or business.
I thought that a leader's role is not to be trapped by what cannot be changed, but to think about what can be done for the future.

I also felt that the question, "Don't compare yourself to others. What do you really want to do?" is important.
Mandela did not let himself be swayed by those around him and continued to walk the path he believed in.
Translating this to business, I believe it is important to pursue the uniqueness of one's own company rather than comparing it too much with competitors in a competitive environment.
I realized that I, too, should not be overly influenced by the success of others and should pursue what I truly want to do.

The Future of South Africa and My Leadership

Mandela tried to change the country by changing himself.
However, looking at the current situation in South Africa, it cannot be said that his ideals have been fully realized.
Poverty, unemployment, and racial tensions still persist, and it will take many more years to realize the society he aimed for.

What I learned from this is that a leader's ambition is not completed in one generation. The same applies to organizational growth; it is not that one leader changes everything, but that change must be continued over a long period of time.
Especially in the company I am involved with, I felt it is important to have a long-term vision rather than being swayed by short-term results.

Recently, when I visited a limestone cave, I was overwhelmed by the natural formations that take thousands or tens of thousands of years to form.
In the same way, I realized that results as a leader are not obtained overnight, but are built through the accumulation of long-term efforts. I believe that working steadily and patiently without rushing will eventually lead to great results.

Application to Practical Work

I have organized how to specifically apply this learning to my practical work.

1. Cultivating organizational culture over time
   Just like the transformation of South Africa, the transformation of corporate culture does not happen in an instant. As a leader, I need to cultivate the company's culture from a long-term perspective and have it take root throughout the organization.

2. Having the patience and determination of a leader
   When you try to change an organization, there will always be resistance and backlash. However, I felt that the determination to stick to one's beliefs over many years, like Mandela, is important. Although change is painful, I believe that true growth lies beyond overcoming it.

3. Individual growth leads to organizational growth
   Mandela retrained himself in prison and, as a result, became a leader of the nation. Translating this to business, it means that the growth of individual employees leads to the growth of the entire company. I realized that it is important to change myself first and then spread that influence to those around me.

4. Have a long-term vision without being trapped by short-term results
   In the business world, we tend to seek short-term results, but it is important to think from a long-term perspective and maintain an attitude of not being swayed by immediate outcomes.

Summary

Through this class, I realized that leadership is not about a single moment of decision, but something that is forged over a long period of time.
While we may not experience extreme situations like Mandela, we are required to train ourselves and grow our organizations through small, daily efforts.

What kind of leadership do I want to demonstrate? What values should I hold to lead an organization? This served as an opportunity to rethink these questions.
The path of a leader is long and not straightforward, but I will build it up steadily without rushing.

Let's network at Globis!

I am in Section G of the 2022 Tokyo cohort.
I have collaborated on business projects and consulted with seniors and juniors, receiving a great deal of support.
I value the spirit of paying it forward and hope to utilize the Globis network.
If you send me a message on Facebook, I can share how to make the most of Globis and the experiences I have gained, so let's connect!

Also, I provide corporate support (strategy, sales, recruitment, and M&A accompaniment), and thanks to everyone, I am currently overwhelmed and looking for people to work with me, even as a side job.
MBA students who are interested, please feel free to contact me!