Thought 11AUG2009

Matshushita's Philosophy # 5
Solving difficult problems requires, above all, an open mind and the willingness to learn."

Sunao is a Japanese word that usually denotes weakness or tractability in a person, an openhearted innocence and a willingness to be sincere. One could say that a sunao mind is an untrapped mind, free to adapt itself effectively to new circumstances. A person with this mind looks at things as they are at the moment and colors them with no special bias, emotionalism,or preconception. A biased persons sees everything through filters or a distorting lens. To him, white paper might look blue or a straight line crooked, The true quality of the substance remains unseen, and the decision maker will be led astray if his judgments are based on what his biased perceptions tell him rather than what is actually there."

The concept of the sunao mind is at the heart of Matsushita's thinking. Treat reality in a direct, straightforward, and honest way, he would tell people. Do not let neurotic impulses or political intrigue distract you. "When it rains," KM (Konusuke Matsushita) would say, "open your umbrella." He believed that this kind of mind could be cultivated by nearly everyone with effort. Schools could teach youngsters to think this way. Societies could help their citizens to see this way. The end result would be powerful. With a sunao mind, he reminded others, one can learn from any source, any encounter, anytime, and anyplace.
Matsushita Leadership by John P. Kotter
El que la sigue la consigue / If at first you don't succeed, try, try again - Spanish Proverb