日本人 ≠ リーダー? Japanese youngsters dislike to be leaders.

Japanese young people avoid being leaders according to a recent TV survey.  

When "leadership training" has been regarded as key skills in many countries, I am clueless why it is such an opposite attitude in Japan. 

Why do Japanese youngsters avoid leadership opportunities? 

Kayo came to enlighten me at a recent Toastmasters meeting with a speech.

There are 3 reasons according to her analysis:

(1) Perceived responsibility

Japanese people might be intimated by the responsibility as a leader. In the old time, the ultimate way to demonstrate a person's integrity is called "hari-kiri" which is a ritual suicide with a sword.

When other cultures promote communications when misunderstanding arises, Japanese and its neighboring Asian countries (such as China, Korea) have a different way to end all doubts. I can imagine why people would avoid committing to leadership opportunities if this means that their lives can be at risk.

(2) Limited leadership role models

When Japanese are invited to name world leaders in their memory, Adolf Hitler would come to the top list. In fact, most recalled leaders are "charismatic"  leaders.

However, this is only one of many possible kinds of leaders: democratic, coaching, authoritative, servant leaders, and etc.

The limited view constraints the youngsters' imagination of how a leader looks like.

 

(3) Lack of knowledge

"Leadership" is hardly included in any Japanese school curriculum before college, and most Japanese students are not provided opportunities to know more about it unless one has decided to major in business. 

Most still think about the hierarchical structure of leader/follower. However, the modern society has evolved into other forms of organizational leadership that are flatter or even reverse hierarchical (e.g. servant leadership). 

More education on modern leadership will enable the youngsters to find out their own traits and develop into their own kind of leader.

This analysis is very new and helpful to me.

I have been puzzled by why many Japanese students are meticulous about following instructions rather than taking a more proactive roles in their learning and major life decision such as finding a job. Now I have a better grasp of possible reasons behind.

What is your view on this?