Author: Dr. Mazila binti Ghazali K.B,P.A

In this talk I am interested to share about the concept of ikigai in the life of a leader. We are all leaders to ourselves, families and organizations. Based on the concept of ikigai as a path, a way to live or a meaningful life journey with various purposes. Did you know as a leader, the physical condition of a healthy leader is influenced by the mental and emotional health and purpose of a leader's life. Michiko Kumono (2017), says that ikigai is a state of well-being that is obtained from activities that a person enjoys and leads to a sense of satisfaction.

Each of us may have gone through various phases in life. Maybe some are still in the same phase. Have we ever wondered if our choices are right, accurate and true? Do I have a desire? For students who are going through the world of education, as a counselor I have been approached by students who stated that they chose the wrong major or field of study.

As for those who work, maybe they have also felt restless, is this the job I want? Am I able to bear responsibility? Ever present in the back of my mind, I feel that I am not worthy and should not be in this kind of work. However, it is still necessary to continue for the survival and sustenance sought. According to Jiro Ono, when we decide to venture into a field of work, then we should immerse ourselves in our work. We should fall in love with our work. We must dedicate our entire lives to mastering our own skills. According to Jiro Ono, this is the secret of success which is the main key for us to be appreciated and respected.

About 3 years ago during the Covid-19 Pandemic phase I spent a lot of time reading books related to ikigai. I myself am more and more interested in slowly learning and applying the concept of ikigai in life, even though this ikigai originates from Japan. What I feel is good, I take advantage and adapt in my life, career and responsibilities as a leader or leader in the place I work. Let me explain first what is meant by ikigai. Ikigai means 'purpose of life' or the reason for us to wake up in the morning and continue living the day with meaning.

I have practiced some of the ikigai concepts that Ken Mogi has described. What I can share here are four things namely Passion or pleasure, Mission or Mission, Profession or Expertise and Vocation or Career. In my personal opinion, the balance in those four things can develop my overall potential and I am confident that I can achieve my ikigai to live a more meaningful and happy life. Indirectly, I have more love for myself and other individuals in my family and organization.

One of the things I can share here is related to the pleasure that is what we love (Passion, What You Love). I focus on the joy of working and leading others. Each of us has our own passion. Passion refers to an interest you have or something you like. In this category refers to something you do that gives you joy and makes you feel satisfied. Every day we must have fun going to work, because work is our source of sustenance for now. Therefore, it is a priority to motivate yourself, create a sense of fun at work and not consider work as a burden. In leadership, a wise leader will form a team that provides good cooperation. This is because the team formed can produce productivity that contributes to the advancement of oneself and the organization. So this is where ikigai is a leader who is present and allows himself to feel satisfied with every sacrifice he and his team members have made.

The second is related to the mission: What the world needs (Mission: What The World Need). As a leader in an organization, a clear mission even if it doesn't suit our pleasure, but we still have to fulfill it. This is so, because we need to exercise trust. So, how do we pursue this mission together and position ourselves to have fun? The only option is to work together in our positive environment. Work like a family in our organization. When we treat our teammates as a second family and are important to us, we will more sincerely achieve the mission set together. This is because achieving the mission is what the world needs in the context of our organization.
Then the third is Expertise: What we are good at (Profession: What You Are Good At). In the organization I lead, they have exceptional expertise. I myself have expertise in my field which is counselor development supervision. Thus it is easy for me to evaluate the work carried out by counselors under my supervision. My team consists of great counselors with different areas of expertise. From time to time, they often increase their knowledge by following exercises that can add value to their competence. I am no exception.

The fourth is a career, which is what can give us a source of income (Vocation: What You Can be Paid For). We all need to work to find a source of income that is a halal sustenance for us. So loving our real work is also a duty for us. Therefore, in my opinion, by using the expertise they have in trying to provide counseling or guidance to students, staff and the community, this is the payment that they can get based on their efforts and sincere work that they carry out with full responsibility. If you ask me, have I achieved my ikigai with my current job, my answer is 'Yes'. Because I love my job too much.

In conclusion, live meaningfully by loving every thing we do and go through in our lives. Our ikigai will be achieved by being grateful for every good or bad thing that we go through in life to achieve happiness and peace.

Date of Input: 31/01/2024 | Updated: 31/01/2024 | ayna