Ikigai: The Secret to Leading with Purpose and Fulfillment

Aligning What You LOVE with What You DO

In this issue:

• Your True Calling

• What is Ikigai?

• How Ikigai Works — The Mechanics

• Applying Ikigai in Your Leadership

• The 3 Steps to Applying Ikigai as a Leader

• Real-World Applications of Ikigai

• Download the Ikigai Worksheet (free for paid subscribers)

• Further Reading

• Final Thoughts

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Your True Calling

Every one of us is chasing — whether we acknowledge it or not — our true calling in life.

Some of us like nature. Others like music. While others like research.

The real challenge arises when our personal ambitions do not match our professional goals.

I have seen countless leaders who simply go through the motions of their day jobs because they do not really find true passion in them. Their true passion lies elsewhere.

This is where Ikigai can make a big difference. Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates to “reason for being,” can help you identify and align your personal purpose with your professional goals, creating a more cohesive and purpose-driven leadership approach.

In this article, I will discuss the mechanics of Ikigai: how it works, and how you can apply it in your role as a leader. We will also review several real-world examples of companies that are successfully applying the principles of Ikigai.

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What is Ikigai?

Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a concept that combines the Japanese words “iki,” meaning life, and “gai,” meaning worth.

It translates to a reason for being and is often illustrated as the intersection of four key elements: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.

Originating from Okinawa, Japan, a region known for its residents’ exceptional longevity, Ikigai has been linked to their strong sense of purpose.

In your journey as a leader, Ikigai can help you balance your passions, skills, values, and profession. It’s not just about finding happiness or achieving success but about discovering a more profound purpose that motivates you daily.

After all, you want to be the best at what you do, not just be going through the motions day in and day out.

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How Ikigai Works — The Mechanics

Ikigai encourages you to find harmony between these four key elements:

1. What You Love: This is what truly excites you. It’s the activities or causes you are deeply passionate about. This could be music, scientific research, outdoor exploration, or a service to humanity.

2. What You Are Good At: These are your strengths and skills — what you excel at and what others acknowledge you for. These may be your ‘hidden’ skills that you don’t acknowledge yourself but are obvious to others.

3. What the World Needs: Here, you consider how your skills and passions can contribute to the greater good. It’s about identifying societal needs or gaps that you can address.

4. What You Can Be Paid For: Finally, this element involves finding ways to monetize your passion and skills. It’s not just about earning a living but ensuring that your work is valued in the marketplace. This brings the practical element to the framework.

Ikigai

These elements are often visualized as overlapping circles, with the center representing your Ikigai. This center is where your passion, mission, profession, and vocation converge, creating a holistic sense of purpose.

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Applying Ikigai in Your Leadership

As a leader, applying the principles of Ikigai can have a major impact on both you and your organization.

Next, we will:

• Master the 3-step approach to applying the Ikigai framework in your role as a leader

• Explore several real-world applications and examples of Ikigai from across industries

• Put the power of this model into practice with the Ikigai worksheet, which includes step-by-step prompts to guide you through the application process (note: paid subscribers enjoy FREE access to the entire collection of worksheets!)

• Review additional resources to further your understanding

• Close out with some key takeaways