The Japanese have given us some wonderful concepts related to creativity. Like Kaizen (改善), the art of continuous improvement.. Or Wabi-Sabi (侘寂), the beauty in imperfection and transience. And Shoshin (初心): Meaning: Having a beginner’s mind.
I would like to introduce you to another one: Kaitakusha (開拓者), which translates to “someone who cultivates the frontier.”
I learned about Kaitakusha from Kyoko Yonezawa, Head of Innovation at TBWA\HAKUHODO in Tokyo. Kyoko runs the Innovation Hub at TBWA\HAKUHODO where she and her team explore the latest developments in tech to find new ways of pushing the boundaries of marketing and advertising for their clients.
Kyoko is a Human Computer Interaction specialist so she is an expert on the interaction between humans and machines.
I asked her how she looked at the concept of “Human Innovation Interaction”, a concept I just made up for our discussion and by which I meant the understanding of how to best get people to develop and adopt new ideas.
She laughed and said: “In general, people are supportive of things they are already used to, things that they already know. Change is very difficult for most people.”
But she then went on to emphasise the importance of having people who try new things: “Without people who cultivate the frontier we would stagnate. We would go extinct.”
I asked Kyoko what the mindset of a Kaitakusha is and she gave me the most poetic reply:
“You know the saying
‘If you want to go fast go alone
If you want to go far go together’
But do you know how it ends?
‘If you want to go fast go alone
If you want to go far go together
If you want to go above, convince others to fly fast with you.”
This is the essence of a Kaitakusha. It is not just pushing the envelope. No, a Kaitakusha is going to the edge of the known to plant and harvest new thoughts and ideas that she can bring back to the rest of her group. Thoughts and ideas that will bring the others along towards the new.
Kaitakushas bring people closer to the future. They settle in the new.
In English we have the word “pioneer”, but it doesn’t quite capture this spirit. Especially if you keep in mind that the origin of the word pioneer is the French “pionnier” meaning “foot-soldier” or “pawn”. Pioneers were the soldiers that were first sent towards the front. They were cannon fodder.
The Japanese word Kaitakusha, with its meaning of “someone who cultivates the future”, is not only more poetic and beautiful, it is also pointing at value creation of the persons who are Kaitakushas as they bring back the “harvest” from the future.
They do not just “explore” the new land. They cultivate it.
Kyoko gave three short and concise rules to follow if you want to be an effective Kaitakusha:
1) Do not be afraid.
Do not be afraid of new ideas, new technology or new innovations. But most importantly, do not be afraid of the people who bring you these new ideas.
Remember: Approach the new.
2) Find the benefit
Do not just explore the new, actively try to find the value that it will bring. Search for what makes this better. For how it will improve our lives.
Remember: Harvest the new.
And then finally,
3) Share the harvest
A Kaitakusha is not just invested in finding the new, she is also trying to get others onboard.
Remember: Share the new.
Elon Musk, despite his polarizing nature, is perhaps the best current example of a Kaitakusha, not only is he passionately curious about the latest technologies and innovations. He is also very focused on finding ways of taking them to market and making them accessible for the masses. And finally he is spending a lot of time promoting his visions and dreams for the future to get others on board.
Do not just settle to be an innovator, a trailblazer, a pioneer or (the very boring title of) ‘early adopter’.
Instead, be a Kaitakusha.
Be a person who cultivates the frontiers of humanity.
Would love to know your thoughts. Do post a comment on LinkedIn.
Feb