Leadership
A true leader fosters young people and spurs them on to greater heights.
[Speech at Nationwide Executive Conference, Nagano, Aug. 6, 2007]
An organization that is willing to change will thrive. It all starts from a leader who is willing to change him- or herself.
[Speech at National Representatives Conference, Tokyo, Nov. 2, 2007]
Concern for young people is what separates a true leader from a despot. Despots manipulate young people. No matter how noble their messages, they only see youth as resources to exploit to satisfy their own purposes.
[Dialogue with then IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, Seikyo Shimbun, Nov. 30, 2006]
Fighting spirit spreads like fire from one person to another. A leader’s daring spirit will kindle flames of enthusiasm and inspire an entire organization.
[The New Human Revolution, Vol. 19, “Sunlight” chapter]
Fostering youth doesn’t simply mean talking to them. . . . Outer formalities are not important; what counts is the depth of our concern for others. We should always interact sincerely with young people, as if they were our younger brothers and sisters, or even our own children.
[Encouragement series, “On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu,” Seikyo Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2012]
Genuine leadership lies in care and attention to the fine details. To know the circumstances of each and every person and to exercise the utmost care; that is what it means to be a true leader.
[Speech at Divisional Representative Conference, Tokyo, Jan. 24, 2007]
Leaders need to work harder than anyone else and keep striving to develop themselves. Those who have worked hard themselves can appreciate the efforts and challenges of others and offer meaningful support.
[Encouragement series, “On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu,” Seikyo Shimbun, Apr. 1, 2012]
One is not a genuine leader if one does not foster capable successors. True success cannot be achieved without fostering talented individuals and nurturing their potential.
[Speech at Headquarters Leaders Meeting, Tokyo, Nov. 14, 2009]
One tall tree does not make a forest. Unless other trees grow to the same height, you cannot have a large grove. . . . A true leader is devoted to raising capable people to whom the future can be entrusted.
[Ikeda Daisaku Zenshu (The Complete Works of Daisaku Ikeda), Vol. 127]
One thing all great people have in common is modesty. Arrogance is a sign of a lack of true ability.
[Discussions on Youth]
One who cannot empathize with others will never become a true leader. One of the great misfortunes of our world today is the presence of too many leaders who cannot identify with the plight of others.
[Discussions on Youth]
Organizations that foster young people will flourish. Organizations that help young people develop will grow.
[Encouragement series, “On Our Shared Journey for Kosen-rufu,” Seikyo Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2012]
People who cease to grow can’t inspire others. Leadership begins with challenging oneself.
[Speech at Nationwide Executive Conference, Nagano, Jul. 31, 2006]
Rather than judging people as competent or incompetent, it is best to look for each person’s positive qualities. We should discover and praise their inherent strengths and abilities. Whether or not capable people are fostered comes down to the resolve and effort of the people who take responsibility for their growth.
[Speech at Nationwide Executive Conference, Nagano, Jul. 31, 2006]
The difference between a leader and a tyrant is that a leader works hard for the sake of everyone else, while a tyrant makes others work hard for him.
[The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra]
The “greatness” of truly great people lies in their appreciation of the “ordinary.”
[Ikeda Daisaku meigen 100 sen (tentative translation:100 Notable Quotes by Daisaku Ikeda)]
The onset of decline begins with the loss of the will to challenge oneself. . . . This is true for both people and organizations. One must remain active. Slacken a bit and momentum is lost. It takes a lifetime of unrelenting struggle to build something worthy, but only a moment to destroy it.
[Conversation series, “Discussions on Life and Death,” Seikyo Shimbun, Feb. 4, 2006]
The true value of the leader depends on how well [they prepare] those who will follow in [their] footsteps.
[Choose Life, with Arnold Toynbee]
There are always able people; the challenge lies in discovering and fostering them. The irresponsible fail to see them and the self-centered cannot raise them.
[Speech at Nationwide Executive Conference, Nagano, Aug. 1, 2006]
When one takes full responsibility, one’s true greatness will manifest. That is when one’s true strength wells forth.
[Speech at Shin’etsu Region Executive Conference, Nagano, Aug. 24, 2006]
Wisdom doesn’t come with position. It arises from one’s sense of responsibility.
[Speech at Tokyo, Kanto, and Tokaido Joint Training Session, Nagano, Aug. 17, 2006]
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