Personal Responsibility: Lessons From Japan
Character Conquers Calamity
by Michael D. Hume, M.S.
Who knows how many lives will be lost to Japan's recent disasters before the final tally is taken? One of the most devastating earthquakes in world history, followed by a cataclysmic tsunami, along with danger from damaged nuclear plants... all enough to create crisis in any nation. Remember the ruin of Haiti in the wake of last year's quake? But every nation of the Earth, including the mighty United States, can take lessons from the character of the Japanese people in their struggle against the adversity they now face.
The Earth shook, split apart, and ruined billions of dollars worth of Japanese property. But the people did not riot in the streets, demanding more from their government, or even threatening revolution. They seemed to realize that Mother Nature was responsible, not their fatherland. Would the same character have been on display in the hot spots of today's Middle East? Even Europe?
The seas rose and attacked Japan with a vengeance, sweeping away lives and livelihoods. But the people of Japan did not take advantage of the opportunity to loot and steal from each other. Instead, they busied themselves with rescuing each other, with looking out for the welfare of their neighbors. No looting!
In fact, one lesser-publicized story is that of a Japanese man who found ten bottles of water left in a local store. At first, he scooped up all ten bottles; but then, as if the thought that he'd be leaving others without the possibility of buying water occurred to him in that moment, he put back eight of the bottles and walked out of the store having purchased only two.
Would the same character have been on display in the streets of today's America? In places like Wisconsin?
"Looters," by the way, was the label given to those who practiced confiscatory policies in the imagined government of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged." The movie is due out next month, and I can hardly wait. You need to see it. If it follows the book at all, it'll be a powerful story of the difference between personal responsibility that spawns entrepreneurship and victimhood that gives rise to a society's general failure and despair.
Finally, in multiple acts of sheer bravery and self-sacrifice, workers at Japan's nuclear power plants work around the clock to contain the risk of radiation danger in their country. The end of the story can't yet be written, but experts say the likelihood of large-scale nuclear disaster is low (despite what anti-nuke fearmongers continue to report). Japan's nuclear energy industry has taken the worst blow nature could deliver, and will likely be left standing. Would the same thing have happened at a nuclear facility in Europe, or China, or even in the United States?
It remains to be seen whether the global economy can survive the combination of current worldwide disasters, but Japan and its people most likely will. It's the culture of respect and personal responsibility that drives Japan which is to be credited with the country's survival. And it's the character of the Japanese people that deserves the attention of the world, and which should serve as a lesson to us all.
Questions and Answers
Article Tags:
inspirational leadership
,personal responsibility
,entrepreneurship
,health wealth and happiness
You are meant for abundance, for wealth, for a fulfilling and joyous life. But you may be "possessed" by a different character, and that character may be mired in a mindset of scarcity, of poverty, and of misery. It won't be easy to step back into your true self after wearing such an alien costume for so long. But you can do it. Be the successful entrepreneur you know you want to be... then you will do what such people do... and then you will have what such people have....
Last night, I happened to be headed to bed just before midnight. As I often do at bedtime, I reflected on the day, and recalled that I'd seen another spectacular Western sunset earlier in the evening, and realized I'd actually watched the sun go down on July, 2011....
The line is sometimes fuzzy between inspirational leadership and run-of-the-mill agitation. When leaders stand on soap boxes and deliver passionate speeches, the words and tone often sound the same. But to me, the difference between agitation and true inspirational leadership is often found over time. If you follow something, and it makes you a better person, it was inspirational leadership. If it brings out your less desirable qualities, it probably wasn't....
A good executive coach can help you skill-up with techniques to help bring out the best in your people. But whether you own a business or work as a leader (emerging or established) in an organization, the first step toward greater inspirational leadership is to stop trying to inspire others before you've done the work to rekindle your own personal inspiration. And the best coaches help you do THAT as a top priority....
Most of my clients would like to be more inspirational leaders. If this is also true of you, you have to start by being inspired. And I was reminded this morning that good people are often inspired to their best potential in life by learning to "bloom where they're planted."
Since your own passion is key to your ability to deliver inspirational leadership, how do you renew it? Here are some ideas that have worked for my clients over the years....
A great deal has been made of in alternative archaeology books about how and why our technologically primitive ancestors were able to carve out, transport and erect massive multi-ton stone blocks into megalithic monuments. Since there is no doubting the existence of these structures, our ancestors must of in fact possessed an advanced technology or had assistance from those who did (i.e. – ‘ancient astronauts'). That runs contrary to scholarly archaeology. But the questions remain.
Recently, a report was published by a Hong Kong Media. According to the report, the latest public opinion survey among the Americans and Chinese shows that there has been a slight improvement in the mutual impression of people of these two countries to each other. But to build a deep trust between them, there is still a long way to go.
Increasingly, couples are seeking a more constructive and less expensive alternative – Collaborative Divorce. In Collaborative Divorce, attorneys, mental health professionals and financial specialists work together with the couple to resolve all issues by agreement without going to court.
Ketubah is a Jewish prenuptial agreement or marriage contract which contains the all the responsibilities to be fulfilled by a couple after marriage. People like to keep their Ketubot as it is for a long time and want a unique Ketubah to be designed for them. If you are also one of them then you must go with custom Ketubah designed by a well known expert and do not forget to choose budget Ketubah otherwise it may affect your affordability.
For most people a living room is the hub of the home, where people relax and socialise with family and friends. The word ‘living room' was first used in the nineteenth century but in reality they existed well before this. The way that living rooms have been used, their décor and their furnishings have changed significantly over time.
Too bad germs and viruses can't talk... or send emails... or write blogs... or do community organizing. If they could, they wouldn't be kicked around by doctors any more! They'd have power. They'd be able to stay in their jobs and their homes (until their hosts drop dead, of course)....
It's easy to see why people follow the upbeat-energy leader. People like to win, and they like to spend their time and energy winning instead of worrying. The upbeat leader inspires that sort of attitude in her team... and, under such optimistic leadership, people find themselves doing more and accomplishing more than they otherwise thought they could....
My wife's mom will be 87 this year... though, with Dad turning 91, she's still the youngster in the home they share. Yes, they still live in their own home about half the time, with a lot of help from their "kids" (that's us 50-somethings who work hard to make sure Mom and Dad have as much freedom and independence as their limitations will allow). Witnessing Mom's and Dad's experiences has taught me something about aging, and much of what they're experiencing echoes recent research....
Start a business, write a song, take on a project at work. Do something inspiring. Undertake your own American restoration project. Understand that you'll barely get away with it, if you do at all... but don't be scared. We've been barely getting away with it for more than two hundred years....
Pay attention to what motivates you. We're all driven to some extent by fear, but Victims and Entrepreneurs fear very different. things. Victims are afraid to try. Entrepreneurs are afraid not to try. Victims are afraid they won't "get" enough. Entrepreneurs are afraid they won't "do" enough. Victims fear what's ahead. Entrepreneurs fear looking back with regret. Victims fear failure; Entrepreneurs don't fear failing (they know they'll learn from their failures)....
Discuss this Article
