Ikigai for Business Leaders: A Compass for Purpose in 2024

For many business leaders, the beginning of a new year is a time for redefining their intentions and realigning their goals. The concept of ikigai, a Japanese philosophy meaning “a reason for being,” has gained popularity within the business world as a way to evaluate and understand purpose. By aligning their purpose with their business, leaders can discover their passion, mission, vocation, and profession, creating a holistic and fulfilling approach to their endeavors.

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Aligning Passion with Purpose

Héctor García and Francesc Miralles explained the principle in their bestselling book, IKIGAI – the Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. In simple terms, “our profession should merge what we are good at and what we can be paid for.” 

Ikigai encourages individuals to delve into the intersection of four key elements: what they are good at, what they love, what the world needs, and how they can make a valuable contribution. The meeting points of these four aspects uncover key elements that work together to create purpose:

1. Your passion lies at the intersection of what you love and what you are good at.
2. Your mission is found in the combination of what you love and what the world needs.
3. Your vocation is found at the intersection of what the world needs and what you can get paid for.
4. Your profession is the combination of what you are good at and what you can get paid for.

So why is this important to figure out? When entrepreneurs tap into their intrinsic motivations and deepest interests, they find a sense of energy and enthusiasm that fuels their journey. This passion becomes the driving force behind their endeavors, motivating them to overcome challenges and persevere in the face of setbacks. 

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Embracing Purposeful Business Practices

In today's interconnected world, where social and environmental consciousness is at the forefront, ikigai encourages businesses to adopt more ethical and meaningful practices. This is because the philosophy is not only focused on individuals. Positive Psychology explains ikigai as a socially oriented concept: “Ikigai has usually been cited as both a personal pursuit and one of benefit to others. In the end, ikigai brings meaning, purpose, and fulfillment to your life, while also contributing to the good of others.”

In other words, fulfilling our own passions can help us contribute meaningfully to society. By aligning their business activities with their ikigai, leaders can make a positive impact on the world, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future. This commitment to purpose not only brings satisfaction to the individual leader, it also resonates with customers and employees. 

Ikigai recognizes that purpose is not static; it evolves as individuals, businesses, and communities grow and change. Life experiences, societal shifts, and personal transformations can all contribute to a new understanding of ikigai. Regularly reflecting on this concept helps leaders stay grounded in their purpose, ensuring that their business decisions align with their evolving aspirations and society’s changing needs.

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Redefining Leadership with Ikigai

Ikigai not only guides individuals towards their purpose but also shapes their leadership style. Leaders who embody ikigai embrace empathy, challenge the status quo, and inspire their teams to pursue their own ikigai. This approach fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, where employees feel valued, empowered, and engaged.

Ikigai provides a comprehensive framework for leaders to engage in purposeful and meaningful business practices, driving both personal satisfaction and business success. By aligning their passions with their profession, leaders create a sense of fulfillment that transcends the confines of work. This fulfillment, in turn, fuels their resilience and drive, enabling them to overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable results.

Beyond short-term goals, Francesc Miralles identifies ikigai as a tool for creating a lasting positive legacy. He explained in an interview with Forbes that when leaders ask themselves, “How do I want to be remembered?” they are tapping into the concept of purpose. By leading with ikigai, they can build a company and a legacy that they are proud to be remembered by.

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Conclusion

Leaders seeking to build meaningful and impactful businesses in the new year can use ikigai as a guiding philosophy. It can help entrepreneurs transform their organizations into purpose-driven enterprises, where employees find opportunities to thrive and customers see a commitment to social good. By finding their own “reason for being,” entrepreneurs can bring themselves closer to their personal and professional goals.

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Sources

Rethink Global

Positive Psychology

Forbes

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