Harmonious and Hierarchal Japanese Leadership Style

 

A longtime aviation professional, Tilak S. Ramaprakash manages operations such as auditing and accounting. With an extensive academic background that includes an MS earned at Purdue University, Tilak Ramaprakash authored a paper reviewing a study on commonalities and differences in leadership across Western and Asian countries.

In looking at Japan, he describes a rigid and hierarchical society, with companies taking a paternalistic attitude toward workers. The positive side of this restrictive system is that Japanese managers are oriented toward taking a caring, helpful attitude with employees. This is reinforced by a sempai-kohai mentoring relationship, in which older team members are expected to help new arrivals gain their feet in the company and thrive.

Interestingly, despite the inflexible structure, Japanese companies feature a group dynamic in which harmonious equality is valued above power struggles and direct criticism. This internal harmony often holds importance above simply making money or being more productive and helps explain why Japanese companies have proven so challenging to take over by outsiders.

Another important aspect of the equation is that the march to seniority and higher salary is long-term in Japan, with greater responsibilities and rank added only gradually. The salary differences between various group members are not so wide, as the emphasis is on the well-being of the collective.