Does this famous quote still apply today?
Let us consider human resource development from the perspective of CEO Uchikura.

Many business leaders and educators still widely cite the above quote from Isoroku Yamamoto, a commander for the Japanese Navy.
However, I think this quote no longer applies to modern leadership and human resource development.

Do Leaders Really Need to “Show Everything”?

The core of this quote is based on the idea that those in leadership positions must set a good example first. It's certainly an inspiring principle. However, in today’s complex business environment, it's not realistic for leaders to master every area of expertise.

IT, marketing, legal affairs, AI, global operations…
Each is a highly specialized field, and the areas where a leader can "demonstrate" themselves are limited.

Modern Leadership Requires Trusting Others

Leaders today truly need the courage and discernment to entrust these tasks to others. The essence of effective management consists of trusting in your team members’ skills and knowledge and assigning the right people to the right responsibilities.

Rather than focusing on how to show their team how to do something, leaders must trust their team while striving toward a shared goal and providing support. That is what leadership should look like in today's world.

Never Tied Down by the Quote: Develop Leadership Skills Today

Yamamoto’s words were highly effective during his time, which included some hierarchical and military context. But in today’s fast-changing and diverse world, applying them may actually lead to a loss of management flexibility and effectiveness.

Leaders should free themselves from the pressure of having to demonstrate everything. It's time to adopt the mindset that you don’t need to know everything to lead a company.

Your true strength as a leader lies not in being all-knowing, but in assigning the right people to the right roles.
That’s the kind of leadership the modern world needs.