A manager is a position that must continue learning more than anyone else.

 

Read the original article (in Japanese):20代社員に｢業務連絡は電話でしなさい｣と言ったら辞めてしまった…｢部下から煙たがられる上司｣の危ない一言 部下は｢チャットのほうが記録も残る｣と主張していた | PRESIDENT Online（プレジデントオンライン）


Introduction – Managers Must Learn More Than Their Teams

Traditionally, learning in the workplace was seen as the responsibility of junior employees, while managers were positioned as those who taught. However, in today’s rapidly changing environment, it is leaders themselves who must be the most committed to continuous learning.

  • Technological evolution (e.g., AI, chat tools, cloud systems)

  • Changes in work styles (e.g., remote work, side jobs)

  • Shifts in social values (e.g., diversity, psychological safety)

  • Legal reforms (e.g., labor law, harassment prevention)

To adapt to these developments, those in direct leadership positions must stay informed and flexible.

Past Success Can Hinder Future Growth

Many managers earn promotions based on past success. Yet that experience can become a trap if it leads to rejecting alternative methods out of hand.

Just because something worked before doesn’t mean it remains the best solution today. Growth requires an ongoing commitment to evolve beyond one’s prior methods.

Learning Expands Options

Learning is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It’s about increasing one’s range of choices and making informed decisions based on the context.

AreaTraditional ApproachModern Approach
CommunicationPhone / VerbalChat tools / Platforms
ManagementOne-way instructionsDialogue & Personalization
SupervisionMonitoring & PresenceTrust & Outcome-Based

The goal isn’t to blindly adopt modern trends, but to know both the old and the new—and choose wisely.

Football: A Metaphor for Modern Management

Football offers a vivid example of how leadership must evolve. It was once a game of sheer endurance—“run, kick, and win the duel.” Today, it’s about strategy and data. Positioning tactics, real-time performance metrics, and GPS-tracked movement have transformed how matches are won.

Top coaches now absorb new tools and data but adapt them to fit their team philosophy. The same goes for managers: continuous study of management theory, tools, and social trends is necessary to apply the right method at the right time.

The Trusted Leader Is One Who Questions Themselves

Leaders gain trust not by clinging to what they know, but by remaining open to what they don’t.

  • Are you rejecting other methods because you truly understand them—or because you don’t?

  • Do you choose your way because it’s best—or because it’s all you know?

Knowing your options is essential to making wise decisions and earning trust.

Key Learning Areas for Managers

Modern leaders must study across multiple domains:

  • Management theory: 1-on-1s, engagement, psychological safety

  • Tools: Slack, Notion, ChatGPT, project platforms

  • Labor knowledge: labor law, work-life balance, equality

  • Social trends: generational gaps, online culture

These aren’t optional—they’re prerequisites for understanding and empowering teams.

Conclusion – To Stay the Same, Keep Changing

The era where “I don’t change” was acceptable for managers is over. Leaders must be the most flexible, the most curious, and the most informed.

Staying true to your values requires constant learning. That’s the paradox—and the power—of modern leadership.

Those who lead must learn the most. That is the responsibility of true leadership.


Read in Japanese↓

上司とは誰よりも学び続ける役職である（2025.6.9）

Read more articles (in Japanese)↓

録音されたら困る面接は「応募者を騙そう」という企業姿勢である（2025.6.6）

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