Introduction: The Origins of the Manager Who Led Samurai Japan to World Championship
Hideki Kuriyama, the manager who led Samurai Japan to victory in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). His leadership in bringing together world-class players, including Shohei Ohtani, and achieving the feat of becoming world champions for the first time in 14 years moved many people.
However, even Manager Kuriyama experienced days of deep setbacks and struggles during his playing career. A period when he was troubled by the difference in ability between himself and others, nearly losing sight of his own worth. There was one phrase that saved him during that time and would go on to greatly change the course of his life.
In this article, based on the valuable lecture given by Hideki Kuriyama himself, we will delve deeply into his life story, the universal philosophy of growth that can be learned from it, and the essence of leadership.
Struggles as a Player: Facing the Reality of the Talent Gap
The Overwhelming Gap in Ability Faced in the Professional World
Although Hideki Kuriyama was active as a professional baseball player, his playing career was far from smooth sailing. While placing himself in the harsh world of professional sports, he spent his days acutely aware of the difference in level between himself and the players around him.
The wall of talent that couldn’t be overcome no matter how hard he tried. Even when doing the same practice, there was clearly a different rate of growth. In the world of professional sports, there inevitably comes a moment when you must face such realities. Kuriyama also faced this painful reality.
The Suffering of Comparison: The Spiral of Self-Denial
The sense of inferiority born from comparing oneself to others. “Why can’t I do it?” “Why can’t I become like that player?” These feelings are emotions that everyone, not just athletes, has experienced at least once.
Kuriyama was troubled and suffered from the gap in level between himself and those around him. To survive in the professional world, he had to produce results. However, he couldn’t achieve the results he wanted. In such a dilemma, he held deep conflicts within himself.
The Words That Changed His Life: “Don’t Compare Yourself to Others”
The Mentor’s Words That Saved Him from Crisis
What saved Kuriyama during this difficult period was a single phrase spoken to him by a certain person.
“Don’t compare yourself to others. I’ll be satisfied if you just get even a little bit better.”
These simple yet profound words resonated strongly in Kuriyama’s heart at the time. Rather than comparison with others, compare yesterday’s self with today’s self. And if you’ve grown even just a little, that’s enough.
These words greatly changed Kuriyama’s perspective, which had been trapped in the suffering of comparison.
Shifting the Standard of Growth from “Others” to “Yourself”
The essence of these words lies in shifting the standard of growth from external to internal.
As long as you compare yourself to others, there will always be someone better. No matter how far you go, you’ll find an “insufficient self.” However, if you change the object of comparison to your past self, moments will surely come when you can feel your growth.
Through these words, Kuriyama realized the importance of aiming for growth at his own pace, in his own way.
Hardships as a Manager: Crisis is Opportunity
The Path as a Leader Faced with Numerous Difficulties
After retiring as a player and working as a commentator, Kuriyama became a manager. However, the path as a leader was far from smooth. There were countless hardships as a manager, including poor team performance, communication with players, criticism, and pressure.
During his time as manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and as WBC Japan national team manager, he hit many large walls.
The Philosophy That “Crisis is the Chance to Touch the Essence of Things”
However, Kuriyama never viewed such difficult situations negatively. Rather, he thought that times of crisis were the perfect chances to touch the essence of things.
There are things that can’t be seen or noticed during smooth sailing. However, when facing difficulties, what is truly important becomes visible. The true nature of players, the team’s real issues, and one’s own essence.
Kuriyama viewed crises as opportunities to reexamine the essence behind superficial phenomena.
Leadership Informed by Player Experience
The experience of being saved by the words “Don’t compare yourself to others” greatly influenced Kuriyama’s coaching philosophy as a manager.
Respecting the individuality of each player and acknowledging each one’s pace of growth. Rather than comparing with other teams or players, evaluating that a player has grown even a little from yesterday to today.
This attitude led to gaining the trust of players and strengthening team unity.
A Life of Continuous Full-Speed Running: Kuriyama’s “Growth Mindset”
The Attitude of Continuous Learning Regardless of Age or Position
What is particularly impressive about Kuriyama’s lecture is that he continues to “run at full speed” even now. Even after achieving the great result of winning the WBC, without being satisfied, he continues to advance to the next stage.
Even as he ages, even as he gains status and fame, he never loses his attitude of continuous learning. This is the true growth mindset that Kuriyama embodies.
The Great Change Born from Accumulating “Just a Little Bit”
The phrase “I’ll be satisfied if you just get even a little bit better.” The accumulation of this “just a little bit” eventually produces great growth.
A day’s growth may be minimal. However, if you continue it for 365 days, for several years, for decades, when you look back, there will be a surprising amount of change. Kuriyama’s own life serves as proof of this philosophy.
What We Can Learn: The Kuriyama Philosophy Applied to Daily Life
A Message for Business Professionals
Kuriyama’s experiences and philosophy can be greatly referenced not only in the world of sports but also in business settings.
Do you ever feel down by comparing yourself to others at work? Your peers get promoted while you remain unchanged. Younger colleagues overtake you. At such times, remember the words “Don’t compare yourself to others.”
What matters is whether this year’s you has grown compared to last year’s you. Whether you can do today what you couldn’t do yesterday. It’s about recognizing and evaluating such small progress.
Application to Parenting and Education
This philosophy is also very effective in parenting and educational settings.
Scolding children by comparing them to other children or placing excessive expectations on them can potentially lower their self-esteem. However, by focusing on that child’s own growth and acknowledging “you can do more than yesterday,” children can move forward with confidence.
The Perspective of Turning Difficulties into Opportunities
Also, the idea that “crisis is opportunity” gives us great insight into our lives.
When you fail at work, when relationships don’t go well, when things don’t go as planned. Such times are chances to stop and reexamine the essence. You may be able to notice fundamental issues, not just superficial problem-solving.
Conclusion: Starting Your “Full-Speed Run” Today
The message that Hideki Kuriyama conveyed through his own life story is simple yet filled with profound truth.
- Focus on your own growth without comparing yourself to others
- Recognize and accumulate even small progress
- View times of crisis as chances to touch the essence
- Continue running at full speed regardless of age or position
These philosophies have universal value that can be applied to everyone’s life, not just athletes.
Why not start a lifestyle of “not comparing yourself to others” from today? Moving forward just a little bit more than yesterday’s self. The accumulation of those small steps will eventually become great growth and lead to a fulfilling life.
Like Kuriyama, continuing to run at full speed no matter how old you are. Such an attitude may be the best way to enrich your life.
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