The Sociology of Confusion The Management Science of Frustration #02

Society is currently in a state of "confusion." Under this "confusion," management faces unprecedented "frustration." The future is opaque, filled with uncertainty. An unidentifiable anxiety is spreading.

When gripped by anxiety, individuals, companies, and society alike tend to halt their thinking. "The more I think, the more anxious I become. So perhaps I should just stop thinking altogether." Could this mindset be stagnating and slowing down business?

In this column, I aim to deepen our understanding of "how business should operate in uncertain times" by unraveling the true nature of this "confusion" and "frustration."

What exactly is an uncertain world?

We are now living in an "uncertain world." I believe everyone feels this. We are gripped by anxiety precisely because we don't understand the true nature of this "uncertain world." To grasp its essence, we must first properly define what constitutes a "certain world" or a "certain era."

What is a "certain era"? It can be described as an era supported by culture. The future lies ahead, built upon what has been accumulated until now. Therefore, everyone can move forward with confidence. The 260 years of the Edo period are a prime example, right? New culture was layered upon the culture that had been built up. Even after the Meiji era began, this did not change. Whether the Black Ships arrived, steam engines were introduced, or streetlights were lit, it was simply a matter of overwriting culture upon the culture that had been built up. The Japanese possess an exceptional ability to "overwrite." That's why they can face forward without being discouraged, even by defeat in war or repeated disasters.

However, in an "era of uncertainty," culture doesn't work. "Overwriting" doesn't work at all. When we can't overwrite, we suddenly become anxious. That very anxiety is the essence of the title of this column: "The Sociology of Confusion / The Management Science of Frustration."

Navigating an Uncertain World Wisely: The Art of Living "Here and Now" - The Science of Luck by Masakazu Sugiura
A professor at Waseda University Business School, frequented by many corporate executive candidates, unravels the true nature of "luck." What distinguishes the fortunate from the unlucky? How should we handle luck we can control versus luck beyond our control? Is mastering how to cook frozen dumplings more likely to bring good fortune than buying a lucky wallet? Strengthen your life wisely with this "textbook on luck." Nikkei BP

What is Globalization?

The novel coronavirus has brought into sharp relief the question of what "global" truly means. The term "global" carries two meanings. One is "spread" or "expansion." The other is "mass" or "massiveness." The latter, expressed in Chinese as "全球的," signifies the rapid advancement of uniformity across the entire world. This is the essence of global.

You see? The very situation where the novel coronavirus is transforming the entire world into a "global" state is what "global" means.

It's no exaggeration to say that world history has been shaped by infectious diseases. Plague, cholera, you name it. Humans are foolish creatures; the moment we overcome them, we forget the true nature of global (全球的). We lose sight of the fact that humanity itself might be the pathogen. That's why international conflicts never cease. Why wars keep repeating. I believe it's time we seriously confront this mechanism.

Photo taken during a seminar lecture

The linear era is over

In an era of linearity, both society and the economy progress in a straight line. Whether that line slopes upward or downward. However, in an era of uncertainty, things change exponentially. As seen in graphs explaining the novel coronavirus, it doesn't change linearly; it surges, amplifying explosively. And it does so globally.

The business world is no different. In the era of gradual upward growth, everyone could leisurely enjoy their wealth. However, under an exponentially expanding economy, that's no longer possible. While some individuals (or companies) amass enormous wealth, those (or companies) unable to keep pace with the change can fall into ruin in the blink of an eye. Before advocating for and acting on things like "work style reform," we must first recognize this reality.