"Mr. Iwata: The Legendary President of Nintendo Speaks (Authorized in 10 Languages Worldwide! From a Genius Programmer to a World-Class Business Manager, the Legendary President Shares His Business Management Philosophy That Turned the Company Around and Doubled Its Stock Price!)" Reading Notes#
Author: HOBO Daily ITOI News
Reading Time: 1 hour
These are the notes and excerpts I recorded while reading "Mr. Iwata: The Legendary President of Nintendo Speaks (Authorized in 10 Languages Worldwide! From a Genius Programmer to a World-Class Business Manager, the Legendary President Shares His Business Management Philosophy That Turned the Company Around and Doubled Its Stock Price!)" on WeChat Reading.
High School Days, Encountering a Programmable Desktop Computer#
People ultimately need someone who can appreciate what they do; otherwise, they cannot step onto a higher platform.
People ultimately need someone who can appreciate what they do; otherwise, they cannot step onto a higher platform.
If You Run Away, You'll Regret It for a Lifetime#
"If you run away, you'll regret it for a lifetime."
"If you run away, you'll regret it for a lifetime."
◆ Mr. Iwata's Words, Part One#
I want to carry out a major revolution; please be patient for five years. However, if we cannot make a profit during this time, as president, I would be unqualified. Therefore, we must deliver a certain level of performance each year while also implementing reforms. It's like flying in the air while repairing the airplane. Looking back at my trajectory, I can't clearly say whether I chose a special path because I was different or if I stumbled upon this special path by chance and became who I am. However, the environment I have experienced so far has been very suitable for me; at least, I can feel that.
What are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? Clarifying these questions, flexibly utilizing our strengths, and trying not to expose our weaknesses is the way to lead the team forward.
I want to carry out a major revolution; please be patient for five years. However, if we cannot make a profit during this time, as president, I would be unqualified. Therefore, we must deliver a certain level of performance each year while also implementing reforms. It's like flying in the air while repairing the airplane. Looking back at my trajectory, I can't clearly say whether I chose a special path because I was different or if I stumbled upon this special path by chance and became who I am. However, the environment I have experienced so far has been very suitable for me; at least, I can feel that.
What are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? Clarifying these questions, flexibly utilizing our strengths, and trying not to expose our weaknesses is the way to lead the team forward.
What Are We Good At?#
In life, there are definitely more things worth doing than things we can actually do. If we try to do everything worth doing, anyone would get exhausted.
I have an unscientific hypothesis: as biological beings, perhaps the ultimate purpose of humans is to leave descendants? To ensure the continuation of future generations, what people must do is demonstrate that "they are better than other individuals in this aspect." In other words, the DNA that excels at showcasing "this individual is superior to others" has been passed down. Meanwhile, the DNA that is not good at this gradually disappears. Therefore, we are born as a species that likes to showcase our strengths, inherently possessing this trait. Even within an organization like a company, people unconsciously compare their strengths with others' weaknesses.
In fact, when feeling difficulty, giving up is often the better choice because it indicates that you are not good at it. However, there are also moments when you have to "grit your teeth and persevere." If everyone avoids doing things they dislike, society cannot function normally. That is to say, even if a company is fundamentally aimed at being a "group that does what it is good at," the minimum condition for people to work together is that regardless of whether they are good at it or not, they can unite and strive together in the collective. Preventing this "minimum condition" from arising is the responsibility of the manager. After all, a company is such an organization, gathering members with various strengths to challenge huge goals that cannot be achieved alone.
In life, there are definitely more things worth doing than things we can actually do. If we try to do everything worth doing, anyone would get exhausted.
I have an unscientific hypothesis: as biological beings, perhaps the ultimate purpose of humans is to leave descendants? To ensure the continuation of future generations, what people must do is demonstrate that "they are better than other individuals in this aspect." In other words, the DNA that excels at showcasing "this individual is superior to others" has been passed down. Meanwhile, the DNA that is not good at this gradually disappears. Therefore, we are born as a species that likes to showcase our strengths, inherently possessing this trait. Even within an organization like a company, people unconsciously compare their strengths with others' weaknesses.
In fact, when feeling difficulty, giving up is often the better choice because it indicates that you are not good at it. However, there are also moments when you have to "grit your teeth and persevere." If everyone avoids doing things they dislike, society cannot function normally. That is to say, even if a company is fundamentally aimed at being a "group that does what it is good at," the minimum condition for people to work together is that regardless of whether they are good at it or not, they can unite and strive together in the collective. Preventing this "minimum condition" from arising is the responsibility of the manager. After all, a company is such an organization, gathering members with various strengths to challenge huge goals that cannot be achieved alone.
Surprising People Unexpectedly#
But for us, the extension of today does not lead to the future. With this mindset, deciding to make a change may be something that goes beyond common sense.
But for us, the extension of today does not lead to the future. With this mindset, deciding to make a change may be something that goes beyond common sense.
Do You Hold Respect for Others?#
Work cannot be completed solely by oneself; it must be related to others. A company is a place where diverse members gather to achieve huge goals that cannot be accomplished alone, working together.
Mr. Itoi is over ten years older than me, and he holds great respect for those who excel in areas he does not know. Seeing how he treats others, I thought, "That's so cool; I want to be that kind of person." Furthermore, I realized, "For those who can do what I cannot, Mr. Itoi can be genuinely moved and develop respect; that alone is extraordinary."
Work cannot be completed solely by oneself; it must be related to others. A company is a place where diverse members gather to achieve huge goals that cannot be accomplished alone, working together.
Mr. Itoi is over ten years older than me, and he holds great respect for those who excel in areas he does not know. Seeing how he treats others, I thought, "That's so cool; I want to be that kind of person." Furthermore, I realized, "For those who can do what I cannot, Mr. Itoi can be genuinely moved and develop respect; that alone is extraordinary."
◆ Mr. Iwata's Words, Part Two#
After all, creation is self-expression. People who are in sync with self-expression do not need to do anything special to be in harmony. It is precisely because all members harbor goodwill and enthusiasm that they believe "I am the most correct."
After all, creation is self-expression. People who are in sync with self-expression do not need to do anything special to be in harmony. It is precisely because all members harbor goodwill and enthusiasm that they believe "I am the most correct."
Wanting to Know "Why It Became This Way"#
He always answered like this: "I did not foresee the future. The world has already begun to change; I just noticed it earlier than others."
Conversely, the premise for communication to occur is that one party must make a clever compromise somewhere to gain the other's understanding and recognition.
He always answered like this: "I did not foresee the future. The world has already begun to change; I just noticed it earlier than others."
Conversely, the premise for communication to occur is that one party must make a clever compromise somewhere to gain the other's understanding and recognition.
The Ability to Discover Rewards#
Even if you force yourself to learn things that have nothing to do with you, you cannot truly apply what you have learned. Therefore, rather than spending time on these things, it is better to prioritize doing what you like and are good at.
Even if you force yourself to learn things that have nothing to do with you, you cannot truly apply what you have learned. Therefore, rather than spending time on these things, it is better to prioritize doing what you like and are good at.
Applying Programming Experience to Business Management#
Analyzing problems requires breaking down the elements of things and then establishing hypotheses within the problem: "By doing this, I can prove this point." Programmers, when faced with problems, always establish multiple hypotheses, compare them in their minds, and continuously repeat this process. Therefore, before dealing with complex problems, the body has already received ample training. After many trials and errors, just like daily muscle training, a certain level of confidence is built.
Analyzing problems requires breaking down the elements of things and then establishing hypotheses within the problem: "By doing this, I can prove this point." Programmers, when faced with problems, always establish multiple hypotheses, compare them in their minds, and continuously repeat this process. Therefore, before dealing with complex problems, the body has already received ample training. After many trials and errors, just like daily muscle training, a certain level of confidence is built.
As a Stakeholder, Deciding the Order of Priorities Without Regret#
With the goal of making others feel delighted, no matter how difficult the problem is, I actively think of solutions and handle it as a stakeholder.
Therefore, "working efficiently together" does not mean that all time must be used up. Time spent daydreaming or thinking about very boring things is definitely not wasted. The question of where to allocate one's limited time and energy ultimately points to philosophical reflections on the meaning of life.
Therefore, both individuals and organizations should clarify what they can do and decide the order of priorities based on the principle of not regretting in the future. Regret is certainly unavoidable. However, I always believe that things one can do but does not want to do, or situations like "I should have done it then," should be avoided as much as possible.
With the goal of making others feel delighted, no matter how difficult the problem is, I actively think of solutions and handle it as a stakeholder.
Therefore, "working efficiently together" does not mean that all time must be used up. Time spent daydreaming or thinking about very boring things is definitely not wasted. The question of where to allocate one's limited time and energy ultimately points to philosophical reflections on the meaning of life.
Therefore, both individuals and organizations should clarify what they can do and decide the order of priorities based on the principle of not regretting in the future. Regret is certainly unavoidable. However, I always believe that things one can do but does not want to do, or situations like "I should have done it then," should be avoided as much as possible.
Mr. Miyamoto's Over-the-Shoulder Perspective#
Mr. Miyamoto's uniqueness lies in his strong individuality regarding what he cares about; on the other hand, he calmly observes how first-time users perceive the product. As soon as he discovers that information "has not been conveyed to the player," he can immediately step back and rethink from a different angle. He always observes from a close perspective but can suddenly switch to a distant view. It's like examining in detail with a magnifying glass and then shifting to a broad view from ten thousand meters above the ground. He can switch perspectives quickly like this. Generally speaking, when examining things from a certain perspective, the distance gets closer and closer, and then the perspective becomes solidified; most people are like this.
Mr. Miyamoto's uniqueness lies in his strong individuality regarding what he cares about; on the other hand, he calmly observes how first-time users perceive the product. As soon as he discovers that information "has not been conveyed to the player," he can immediately step back and rethink from a different angle. He always observes from a close perspective but can suddenly switch to a distant view. It's like examining in detail with a magnifying glass and then shifting to a broad view from ten thousand meters above the ground. He can switch perspectives quickly like this. Generally speaking, when examining things from a certain perspective, the distance gets closer and closer, and then the perspective becomes solidified; most people are like this.
◆ Mr. Iwata's Words, Part Four#
I believe that "genius" is "someone who continues to do those annoying things or things that are tiring and cannot be persisted in." Not stopping to think and persevering no matter what will surely lead to exhaustion, and one does not know if they will be rewarded, which is very hard. However, for those who can do it, this is not a hard task. Those who see it as a hard task will never surpass those who do not see it as such. Therefore, this is a talent. I do not consider it hard; continuing to do it and discovering valuable things in the process is, I believe, very fortunate. After all, I am the world's number one "Miyamoto Shigeru observer" (laughs).
I believe that "genius" is "someone who continues to do those annoying things or things that are tiring and cannot be persisted in." Not stopping to think and persevering no matter what will surely lead to exhaustion, and one does not know if they will be rewarded, which is very hard. However, for those who can do it, this is not a hard task. Those who see it as a hard task will never surpass those who do not see it as such. Therefore, this is a talent. I do not consider it hard; continuing to do it and discovering valuable things in the process is, I believe, very fortunate. After all, I am the world's number one "Miyamoto Shigeru observer" (laughs).
◆ Mr. Iwata's Words, Part Five#
In other words, rather than greedily wanting this and that, one must understand that "doing subtraction is creation."
In other words, rather than greedily wanting this and that, one must understand that "doing subtraction is creation."
Our Areas of Expertise Differ#
People always admire those who possess abilities they do not have.
People always admire those who possess abilities they do not have.
The More Times You Meet, the More You Trust#
Modifying existing things takes two years. Starting from scratch only takes half a year.
Modifying existing things takes two years. Starting from scratch only takes half a year.
First, Organize the Environment for Everyone#
"What people want to do are things that only humans can accomplish."
"What people want to do are things that only humans can accomplish."
◆ Mr. Iwata's Words, Part Six#
On my business card, I am a president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a player.
On my business card, I am a president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a player.
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