Uchikura & Co., LLC

You Always Have a Teacher

 

One of my favorite Japanese sayings is 「人の振り見て我が振り直せ」, which literally means, "Watch how others behave, then correct your own behavior."

 

For CEOs and business leaders, this is more than a proverb—it is a management philosophy.

 

Every competitor, customer, employee, supplier, and executive you meet becomes your teacher. Some demonstrate leadership worth copying. Others show you mistakes you should never repeat. Both are equally valuable.

 

When a company loses customers because it stops listening, you learn the importance of staying close to your market. When a leader blames employees instead of accepting responsibility, you are reminded that accountability starts at the top. When a business earns trust through consistency and honesty, you see that reputation is built one decision at a time.

 

The proverb is not about judging others. It is about using every observation as an opportunity for self-improvement. Before criticizing another organization, ask yourself whether your own company has the same weakness. The answer is often surprising.

 

Great leaders never stop learning because they understand that lessons are everywhere. Success teaches. Failure teaches. Even competitors teach.

 

You always have a teacher. The question is not whether someone is teaching you—it is whether you are paying attention.