What’s the connection between 5 big rings and 5 syllables in a word? It equates to something big…winning really big…winning Olympic size.
That’s right!
While bidding for the 2020 Olympics, in their final presentation to the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese contingent offered to the world that Japan was most qualified to host the 2020 Olympics. Japan did so by centering their presentation around 5 syllables: Om-o-te-na-shi or Omotenashi.
Omotenashi is Japanese way of hospitality by serving others selflessly. It is the core of a relationship between a host and a guest, the person who is offering it and the person who is receiving it.
It was in 1987 that I first visited Japan. I accompanied my wife, an international artiste, who along with 30 dancers and musicians performed at the Aoyama children’s theater in Tokyo. During the pre-visit planning phase, over a period of 6 months, our Japanese hosts exchanged several letters (back then, there was no email) seeking clarification of the most minute details, much to the irritation of the coordinators in the dance group.
It was only upon landing in Japan that we realized why our hosts were so tenacious during the planning phase. It was very simple; serving with excellence requires dedication and meticulous planning. Throughout our stay, they were constantly asking us if there was anything else they could do to make our stay more comfortable.
This was my first exposure to Japanese hospitality - care, diligence, respect for the guest and a deep sense of devotion to serve with the highest standards.
In 1993, I visited Japan again. This time, as a young technology Silicon Valley entrepreneur along with our team of 3 people, to deliver our startup company’s software to our Japanese distribution partners. During our stay of 6 months, our Japanese partners provided us excellent accommodation and handled our special needs of a vegetarian diet. In a country where seafood is the staple diet and has the world's largest fish market, this was quite an effort on their part! One of their team members served as our translator and sacrificed her weekends to be our tourist guide. Their team served us selflessly without any expectations.
As a young man, I was intrigued by the thought process behind their dedicated actions. My experience in Japan left a permanent impression on my inner psyche and influenced my approach to leadership in life and business. I noticed that everything the Japanese do is in the spirit of serving other human beings.
Over the past 25 years, I have been fortunate to visit Japan several times each year and do business with global Japanese companies and partners. While I have previously stayed in the glitzy 5 star hotels in Tokyo, these days, I enjoy my stay in a traditional Ryokan (Japanese inn) called Chigasaki-kan which is located in Chigasaki, a beautiful town in the suburbs of Tokyo.
The Ryokan was built in 1899 during the Meiji period. For over 10 years, the famous movie director Yasujiro Ozu stayed at the Ryokan during fall and winter. The owner of the hotel is a wonderful lady, who is in her late 70s. During each of my visits, the sheer love, warmth and regard with which she and her team welcome me and take care of me, endears me to the people of Japan. So effusive and sincere is their love and hospitality, that I mentioned to her that “she was my Japanese mother”! I feel very much at home in Japan.
In my opinion, Omotenashi not only represents hospitality, but it symbolizes the core of Japanese thinking... on the purpose of all human interactions, which is to serve each other with no expectations.
In Japan, serving others is the very essence of their existence. Japanese extend this concept of service in all their interactions, whether it is family, community, business or global interactions.
It is only befitting that the people of Japan have chosen to represent the 5 syllables of Omotenashi as the circles of harmony, interdependence and hospitality that the 5 Olympic rings stand for.
Ram Kedlaya is an Executive Coach, Speaker and Innovation Advisor to Fortune 500 and Global 2000 companies across the world. His focus is Inspirational Leadership, Innovation and Global Leadership.
© Ram Kedlaya 2021 Photo Credits: Wonderland Japan - http://wattention.com
