Words of an Energizing Leader

 Words of an Energizing Leader

Managers believe that if a system is established where they can see everything in detail, they can prevent problems in advance and efficiently manage the organization. I would like to call this phenomenon the 'Panopticon Dilemma'.

Jeremy Bentham, a legal theorist, believed that he could improve the vicious cycle of rapid crime and inhumane practices in prisons, as well as the destruction of social order, by establishing managerial leadership from a utilitarian perspective. He chose prisons as a place to experiment with his ideal philosophy. Prisons were ideal because they allowed for the collective management and rehabilitation of prisoners.

The Panopticon, presented as an ideal structure for management, is derived from this prison space. As the structure of the word suggests, it means being able to see everything at a glance. It was designed to allow managers to have a panoramic view of all information within the prison, with cells arranged around a circular building and a control room in the center, enabling efficient and rational management with minimal personnel. It's easy to manage because it allows one to easily see and control violence and illegal activities both inside and outside the prison.

Furthermore, from a managerial perspective, in order to ensure efficiency, managers need to be provided with financial incentives. Otherwise, they may become enamored with leniency and expect endless respect, leading to the breakdown of a fair legal order. For example, if prison operators are paid per prisoner and penalties are imposed instead of management costs for escapees or deaths, it is believed that prisoners will be better managed.

Bentham attempted to demonstrate the efficacy of his theory by directly participating in its construction but ultimately went bankrupt. However, his theory was later applied and recognized in the construction of hospitals, libraries, and communities.

Managers hope for such a Panopticon organizational structure. However, this structure overlooks the creativity of internal members and controls cooperation. Yet, because management is very easy, it is always a temptation.

Among the definitions of leadership, "the power to win without fighting" resonates the most with me. Winning without fighting means winning through conversation without holding anything in hand. So, how should we communicate?

Communication is the foundation of leadership. Communication is said to be about dreaming the same dream together. However, there is an obstacle, and that obstacle is called authoritarianism.

My wife and I are worried because our youngest son loves computer games too much. He waits for the opportunity while watching the computer, and once he starts playing games, he can't get away. Because of this situation, we set a limit on the time he can use each week. However, he tends to break this rule. Then my wife gets angry.

She says, "Your time is up! Turn it off now!" My son thinks to himself, "I can play for another 30 minutes," and continues playing the game. My wife, seeing her son immersed in the game, gets annoyed and says, "If you don't turn it off right now, you'll see what happens!" My son thinks, "I can play for another 10 minutes. I still have time," and focuses on the game. My wife waits a little longer, then picks up a stick and approaches the child. "I'll have to hit you!" My son thinks, "I guess I have to turn it off now," and quickly turns off the computer. He was scared of the stick, but my wife thinks to herself, "This kid has to be scolded!" and is convinced that her method is right.

In such a situation where different dreams are being dreamed, it cannot be said that communication is established. There are ways to communicate well.

1. 1. Create an Atmosphere

If the boss has a stern or serious face, it's hard to initiate a conversation. In my case, I always call the secretary first and ask about the boss's mood. If the atmosphere doesn't seem right, I give up on approvals for that day. Therefore, the relationship with the secretary is also very important. Haha. If you want to communicate with the other person, you always need to create a cheerful and positive atmosphere.

2. 2. Listen

After creating a cheerful atmosphere, you need to listen well. 40% of a manager's salary is said to be the price of listening. Analyzing the Chinese character for listening, it means opening your ears like a king, listening with ten eyes and one heart. The meaning of the Chinese character for cancer is a mouth trapped under a mountain. This means that even if you want to speak and express yourself, you can't.

There is an experiment in Andrew Matthews' book "Mastering Relationships" about listening. In this experiment, people are divided into groups of two, and one person speaks for 3 minutes while the other listens silently without saying anything. This behavior is repeated three times, and more than 95% of people respond like this.

"I've never listened to someone else's words so carefully in my life." "We fell in love." "I've never listened so attentively to my husband's words in 30 years."

3. 3. Ask Questions

When people receive instructions, they use their hands or feet, but when they receive questions, they use their heads. However, there are also different types of questions. There are judgmental questions and learner-type questions. Judgmental questions are those that the other person accepts as commands, such as "Are you going to take responsibility?" Learner-type questions are those that seriously ask for the other person's opinion, such as "I'm worried about our company's sales performance. Now let's brainstorm ideas. Manager Kim, to enhance our brand image, which customer segment should we focus on?"

4. 4. Praise and Admiration

Have you ever seen a dolphin performing tricks with swollen eyes? Have you ever seen a leopard passing through a ring of fire with its skin torn and burning? You shouldn't hesitate to praise and admire good opinions while respecting the other person's opinions. However, you should be strict in the areas of morality and responsibility that you cannot give up on. Even if someone has outstanding abilities, if they lack morality, they are likely to grow up as thieves.

5. 5. Keep Promises

Communication ends with keeping promises. Kim Sung-oh, a pharmacist who successfully ran a pharmacy called 4.5pyeong as one of the most successful pharmacies in South Korea, introduced a corporate management system to the pharmacy. If the targeted sales were achieved, incentives were provided to employees on the spot. The flower of motivation and completion is reward.

Mothers are the best communicators. They look at their children with loving eyes, cuddle them, touch them, and listen to their endless cries. And when they ask, "Oh really? Who did it? Mom will scold you instead. Naughty!", "You're so kind," "Our baby is so good," while pointing their little finger, they keep all their promises. In this way, mothers build trust with their children through perfect communication, and children grow up quickly.

On the other hand, men are very vulnerable in communication. I wonder if it's because of the stereotype that "men should speak less" and "should be dignified" from an early age. Carl Jung's saying, "Men are raised as men and women as women," comes to mind. Among men, there are those who are feminine, masculine, and neutral.

However, having a feminine personality does not necessarily mean being good at communication