Business is Better With More Bushido, Less "Bullshido"

Core Values Drive Results

核となる価値観が結果を生み出す

I highly recommend the 2003 movie, The Last Samurai, featuring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe, as well as a beautiful soundtrack by movie music legend Hans Zimmer. It’s a film that’s aged well, and it has as many lessons about business, and life, as it does about Samurai and martial arts. If you’ve already seen it, watch it again and focus on the dialogue and the masterful acting of Ken Watanabe and his character, Katsumoto. He is the living, breathing embodiment of what is, in context, the dying code of Bushido, as a “new” Japan seeks western influence, clothing, and military hardware.

"If there is anything to do, there is certainly a best way to do it, and the best way is both the most economical and the most graceful." – Nitobe Inazō 新渡戸 稲造

A cornerstone of the film, and of the relationship between Algren and Katsumoto is Bushido, is the traditional code of the samurai, emphasizing values that guide behavior and decision-making. The core tenets of Bushido include:

• Rectitude (Gi): Making the right decisions based on moral principles.
• Respect (Rei): Treating others with dignity and honor.
• Courage (Yū): The ability to face fear and take risks when necessary.
• Honor (Meiyo): Upholding one’s reputation and integrity.
• Benevolence (Jin): Showing compassion and kindness to others.
• Honesty (Makoto): Being truthful and sincere in all dealings.
• Loyalty (Chu/Chūgi): Being faithful to one’s commitments and relationships.

Bushido can be directly applied to business and how people behave, interact, and respect their relationships. Here are some ways to apply the Bushido principles:

Application of Bushido in Business

1. Ethical Decision-Making: Emphasizing rectitude encourages businesses to prioritize ethical practices over profit, fostering trust and long-term success.
2. Risk Management: Courage helps leaders make bold decisions, embracing innovation and adapting to change, even in uncertain environments.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility: Benevolence can guide businesses to contribute positively to society, enhancing their reputation and strengthening community ties.
4. Respect and Communication: A culture of respect promotes effective communication, collaboration, and a positive workplace environment.
5. Transparency and Integrity: Honesty builds credibility with stakeholders, while integrity ensures that businesses maintain their commitments and standards.
6. Reputation Management: Honor is crucial in maintaining a good reputation, which can be a significant asset in competitive markets.
7. Team Loyalty and Cohesion: Loyalty fosters strong team dynamics, ensuring employees are committed to the organization’s goals.

"What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone's character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents." – Nitobe Inazō 新渡戸 稲造

Lessons from?The Last Samurai?

In?The Last Samurai, the character of Katsumoto, played by Ken Watanabe, embodies many Bushido principles. Here are specific lessons that can be extrapolated for business application:?

1. Commitment to Values: Katsumoto's unwavering dedication to his way of life demonstrates the importance of standing firm in one’s values. In business, this translates to maintaining core values even when faced with external pressures.
2. Balance of Tradition and Change: The film showcases the tension between tradition (represented by the samurai) and modernization (the Western influences). Businesses can learn to respect traditional values while embracing necessary innovations to stay relevant.
3. Leadership Through Example: Katsumoto leads by example, embodying courage and honor. Leaders in business can inspire their teams by demonstrating commitment and ethical behavior.
4. Unity and Loyalty: The samurai’s loyalty to each other and their cause highlights the importance of teamwork. In a business context, fostering a sense of loyalty among employees can enhance collaboration and morale.
5. Understanding and Respect for Others: The relationship between the samurai and the protagonist, Nathan Algren, illustrates the importance of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives. In business, cultural sensitivity can lead to better international relations and partnerships.
6. Legacy and Impact: Katsumoto’s desire to leave a meaningful legacy encourages businesses to think about their long-term impact on society, rather than just short-term profits.?

Bushido literally means “The Way of the Warrior,” and was considered a chivalrous code of sorts to embody behavior and expectations of the Samurai, warriors trained to protect the Shogun and other Japanese leadership.

"Bushido: The Soul of Japan"

President Teddy Roosevelt, President John F. Kennedy, and Robert Baden-Powell all read Bushido: The Soul of Japan, a treatise about the way of the samurai. Nitobe Inazō (新渡戸 稲造 September 1, 1862 – October 15, 1933) was a Japanese economist, author, educator, diplomat, politician. Nitobe wrote this in English at the very end of the 19th century, in part based on Hagakure by Tsunetomo Yamamoto. This work by Inazo Nitobe, published in 1900, explores the philosophy and ethics of the samurai code, known as Bushido. Nitobe, a Japanese scholar and educator, wrote this book in English to provide Western readers with insights into Japanese culture and the values that shaped the samurai way of life. Nitobe's work explores various dimensions of what is referred to by Katsumoto as "the way of the warrior" such as:

Philosophical Foundations: Nitobe explains that Bushido, which means "the way of the warrior," encompasses more than just martial skills. It is a code of conduct that emphasizes honor, loyalty, courage, and self-discipline, rooted in the historical and spiritual traditions of Japan.

Influences: The book discusses the various influences on Bushido, including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shintoism. Nitobe highlights how these philosophies contribute to the moral and ethical framework that guides samurai behavior.

Character Traits: Nitobe outlines key virtues associated with Bushido, such as rectitude (justice), courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty, and self-control. Each virtue is explored in detail, showcasing how samurai embodied these ideals in their lives.

Historical Context: The author provides a historical overview of the samurai class, tracing their evolution from warriors to influential leaders in Japanese society. He also discusses the decline of the samurai in the modern era and the impact of Westernization.

Cultural Significance: Nitobe emphasizes the importance of Bushido as a cultural cornerstone for Japan, shaping the nation's identity and values. He argues that the principles of Bushido can serve as a guide for individuals in all walks of life.

Personal Reflection: The work is partly autobiographical, reflecting Nitobe’s own values and experiences. He expresses a desire for a revival of the Bushido spirit in contemporary society, advocating for a balance between tradition and modernity.

Nitobe studied Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and of course the entire historical context passed through centuries from Japanese Samurai, and sages, including along the way a review of western civilization and religious writings from a variety of time periods and societies.

"Bushido Business: The Fine Art of the Modern Professional"

"Bushido Business: The Fine Art of the Modern Professional" by Stephen Covey blends traditional Japanese principles of Bushido with contemporary business practices. Covey draws on the samurai code to offer insights on leadership, professionalism, and personal effectiveness in the modern workplace.

Summary

1. Bushido Principles: Covey outlines key virtues of Bushido, such as honor, loyalty, courage, respect, and integrity, and explains how these values can be applied to modern business environments. He emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and character in professional success.
2. Leadership and Influence: The book discusses the role of leaders in fostering a culture of trust and respect within organizations. Covey highlights the need for leaders to embody the principles of Bushido to inspire their teams and create a positive workplace culture.
3. Personal Development: Covey encourages readers to focus on self-mastery and continuous improvement. He advocates for setting personal and professional goals aligned with core values and principles, fostering a sense of purpose and direction.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork: Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Covey illustrates how the spirit of Bushido can enhance teamwork. He discusses strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution, advocating for a harmonious work environment.
5. Long-Term Vision: Covey stresses the importance of a long-term perspective in business decisions. He argues that a focus on ethical practices and sustainability leads to lasting success rather than short-term gains.
6. Balancing Tradition and Innovation: The book encourages professionals to balance traditional values with modern innovation. Covey suggests that integrating timeless principles of Bushido with contemporary practices can create a well-rounded approach to business.Stephen Covey’s excellent Bushido Business: The Fine Art of the Modern Professional is a great place to start to reconnect with the timeless principles of honor and courtesy in business today.

Codes Of Conduct: Modern Bushido

At a time when it’s hard to get a returned phone call, parties to a contract choose to ignore terms, companies take forever to pay, it might be worth revisiting the principles of conducting business in accordance with a code of conduct.

Progressive companies have instituted codes of conduct alongside vision and mission statements, but leadership must establish and reinforce the culture so that the company will be one that customers want to do business with, vendors want to sell to, managers want to manage, and employees want to work for.

Organizations should train people in organizational relations/culture cultivation programs to ensure that new managers (and some organizations in whole) don't lack an understanding of the nuances of culture and miss cues on interpersonal communication and professional courtesy.

Fast is great, but not at the expense of professionalism. In addition to reading Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, new professionals should add to their business library, both Bushido: The Soul of Japan, and Bushido Business, The Fine Art of the Modern Professional.

Conclusion

The principles of Bushido are in fact, Core Values. Our name, QORVAL is a portmanteau meaning "Core Values." And one thing we've learned after 28 years, is that Core Values Drive Results (核となる価値観が結果を生み出す).

Bushido offers valuable insights for modern business practices. By embracing these tenets, organizations can create ethical, resilient, and cohesive cultures that not only drive success but also contribute positively to society.

The lessons from?The Last Samurai?reinforce the significance of leadership, loyalty, and the balance between tradition and innovation in navigating the complexities of the business world.

Core Values that an organization and its leadership lives and breathes have no place for BS, no place for "Bullshido."

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Paul Fioravanti, MBA, MPA, CTP, is the CEO & Managing Partner of QORVAL Partners, LLC, a FL-based advisory firm (founded 1996 by Jim Malone, six-time Fortune 100/500 CEO) Qorval is a US-based turnaround, restructuring, business optimization and interim management firm. Fioravanti is a proven turnaround CEO with experience in more than 90 situations in more than 40 industries. He earned his MBA and MPA from the University of Rhode Island and completed advanced post-master’s research in finance and marketing at Bryant University. He is a Certified Turnaround Professional and member of the Turnaround Management Association, the Private Directors Association, Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Association of Merger & Acquisition Advisors (AM&MA), the American Bankruptcy Institute, and IMCUSA. Copyright 2024, Qorval Partners LLC and/or Paul Fioravanti, MBA, MPA, CTP.

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