"もし21世紀に勝ちたいのなら、他の人々を力づけて、彼らが自分より優れていることを確認しなければなりません。そうすれば成功するでしょう。"

To win in today's world, you need to lift others up and make them excel. When you help others become better than you, that's when you'll find real success.

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: true success isn't about just pushing yourself to the top. It's about bringing others along with you and helping them shine—even brighter than you. This approach isn't just a feel-good strategy; it's a smart, effective way to create lasting impact.

Think back to the early 2000s when companies were still figuring out the internet. Back then, the tech industry was a bit like the Wild West. Everyone was out for themselves, trying to be the next big thing. But then you had people like Steve Jobs, who understood that empowering his team at Apple was key. He didn't just focus on his own brilliance; he knew that by fostering creativity and excellence in his engineers, designers, and marketers, the whole company would thrive. And it did. Apple didn’t just make great products; it built a culture of innovation that propelled it to becoming one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Now, let’s bring this idea into a more personal context. Imagine you’re managing a small team at work. You’ve got some stars and some who need a bit more guidance. If you hoard all the knowledge and keep all the high-profile projects to yourself, sure, you might shine in the short term. But what happens when you’re out sick, or you move on to another job? The team might flounder. However, if you take the time to teach your skills to others, share the exciting projects, and encourage your team members to take on challenges, you’re building a robust, resilient team. And guess what? When your team members start to excel and bring new ideas to the table, the whole team looks good—including you.

Alright, let’s break it down. How do you apply this wisdom? Start by mentoring others. Teach what you know, and don’t be afraid to share your skills and insights. Next, give credit where it’s due. If someone on your team comes up with a great idea, make sure they get the spotlight. Finally, encourage independence. Let your team members tackle big projects and support them along the way. It might be tough to give up some control, but the payoff is worth it.

Picture this: you’re working at a startup. Everyone’s wearing multiple hats, and it’s a bit chaotic. You’ve got a knack for coding, but you’ve also noticed that a newer team member, Sam, has a real passion for it, even if they’re not quite as skilled yet. Instead of just focusing on your own projects, you take some time to mentor Sam. You share tips, involve them in important projects, and encourage them to take the lead on smaller tasks. Over time, Sam’s skills grow, and they start coming up with solutions to problems you hadn’t even thought of. The team’s productivity skyrockets, and the startup starts gaining traction. Everyone wins.

So, think about how you can empower those around you. It’s not just about being nice—it’s about creating a culture of growth and excellence. And in the end, that’s what leads to true success. When you lift others up, you rise too.