Two Essential Rules for Building Your Career

Results of Harman's Reforms

With her outstanding expertise and the authority she was given, she immediately assigned 1,300 police officers to be "field officers" (similar to Japanese police officers) whose main duty was to "patrol the streets," and required all of them to undergo two days of training. Not only that, she provided all 35,000 police officers with smartphones equipped with multilingual translation functions to encourage conversation with residents and to inform them about the people living in their assigned districts. These are not measures that could be implemented in a short period without significant authority.

Another achievement was "identifying potential criminals and rehabilitating them before arrest." Field officers intensified patrols to identify potential offenders. Instead of questioning them, they provided opportunities to meet with various police departments, helping them understand the consequences of crime. Then, working with community groups, they offered pathways out of their current lives. Arrest and prosecution rates plummeted, and the idea that "the police don't just arrest citizens" gradually took root among officers.

Incidentally, this approach seems to have been unheard of in the NYPD until now. I also think it's important to "seize every opportunity." The #myNYPD campaign I mentioned earlier was, perhaps a bit of a misnomer, but an interesting situation for Mr. Harman, a newcomer who was trying to fundamentally change the organization and culture. The failure of the campaign forced the forces that clung to the old ways to tone down their stance. If you are willing to seize every opportunity, then a crisis can indeed be an opportunity.

Create your own career

But what does it mean to "choose your boss"? I think it means not only doing your best in the environment you find yourself in, but also changing your environment and circumstances, including your boss, if necessary.

Mr. Harman said that the above two points are "especially important for women to get by in a male-dominated society," but I don't think it's just a matter of women or men.

"The more of a leader you are, the more you should go to the front lines" (Former New York City Mayor Giuliani)

"Become more professional than anyone else. Choose your boss." (Susan Harman)

Listening to American leaders speak, I can't help but feel, with all due respect, that the environment in Japan is a little strange. It is still difficult to find optimal placements that respect individual will, ability, and aptitude, as well as transfers between departments and organizations, and changing jobs. There are not many workplaces filled with young bosses who excel at management, seniors, and foreigners. The lack of women in management positions is staggering. And I feel that people are becoming less assertive. There seems to be a definite tendency to avoid being seen as "troublesome."

Of course, that doesn't mean America is perfect. Absolutely not. But the advice I gained in New York reminded me of two responsibilities: in the short term, the responsibility to those around you to "face your assigned mission to the utmost and make your own judgments"; and in the long term, the responsibility to yourself to "build your own career." Don't get swept along; engage proactively. This seems to demand not just being a compliant member who follows the organization's will, but also being someone unafraid to create friction when necessary. Becoming a leader might be a battle against that part of yourself (is it just me!?) that dislikes conflict with others and wants to be seen as a nice, understanding person. That's what I think.

I want to tell myself: "Stand up more." Even if your words and actions don't read the room, even if they cause friction, if they're executed correctly based on the right motives, someone will see. I'm sure of it.

So, everyone, this is actually why I'm so vocal!

※1 From The Economist magazine's "World's 50 Safest Cities Ranking"

*2 Bill Bratton, as Police Commissioner under Mayor Giuliani, created a "strong police force" based on the "broken windows theory" (the theory that cracking down on minor crimes and disorderly conduct suppresses violent crime). He strengthened police questioning of citizens, ensuring that minor crimes were not overlooked, and violent crime plummeted. When he was reappointed to head the NYPD, citizens had doubts and reservations, but he himself is promoting new reforms that rewrite past best practices through the appointment of external personnel such as Mr. Harman and changes in the operation of questioning.