Imagining a Unified Leadership Training Program for Executives in Japan

Bridging the Gap: Imajina's Unified Leadership Training Program

In November, Imajina Inc., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, will launch a new training service specifically designed for executives, titled the "Unified Leadership Training Program". This initiative comes in response to compelling findings from a recent global survey conducted by Netskope Japan. The report, which focuses on the importance of collaboration between CIOs and CEOs in the age of AI, revealed that 39% of CIOs believe there is a misalignment with their CEOs regarding decision-making. Furthermore, 31% indicated they lack a clear understanding of what the CEO expects from them.

These alarming statistics reflect a broader issue affecting numerous companies: the internal rift between top executives hampers organizational growth and leads to a disconnect in strategic vision. When leaders aren't on the same page, their teams struggle to execute strategies effectively.

The Iceberg of Misalignment

The issue is not restricted to the relationship between CIOs and CEOs; it exemplifies a larger problem of invisible discrepancies among all members of the executive team. During meetings, while executives may discuss the same topics and make identical votes, the interpretations and priorities behind those discussions can vastly differ.
For instance, in one organization, all executives agreed on a strategy to enhance customer experience. Six months later, however, the development team focused solely on technical perfection at the expense of deadlines, while the sales department prioritized contract numbers, and customer support aimed for efficiency in handling inquiries. When the CEO questioned why their shared goal had become fragmented, responses revealed differing interpretations:

- "I viewed high-quality products as the core of customer experience."
- "I understood that addressing customer demands enhanced customer experience."
- "I believed speedy responses were essential for customer experience."

Using the same terminology, yet interpreting it in completely divergent ways, illustrates how invisible gaps in understanding can lead to chaos within organizations. This divergence can create a disconnect between leadership and operational levels, stalling momentum towards needed changes and innovations.

Tackling the Problem with Unified Leadership Training

Imajina’s Unified Leadership Training Program offers executives a structured environment to align their thoughts and share decision-making frameworks. Through open dialogue, participants are encouraged to identify and visualize these invisible gaps:

- Are we misinterpreting key terms?
- Who has articulated our priorities?
- Did we truly commit to previous decisions?

By forging a common language and deepening shared understanding, Imajina aims to ensure that executive teams are genuinely “on the same boat.”

Features of the Program

- Facilitated sessions for aligning thoughts and frameworks among executives.
- Visualization of discrepancies through guided discussions.
- Support for transitioning to a more action-oriented organizational structure.

Ideal Candidates for Unified Leadership Training

This program is particularly beneficial for organizations experiencing challenges such as:

- Implementation issues following executive meetings.
- Perceptions that departmental leaders hold diverging decision criteria.
- Feedback that suggests disagreements among leadership are percolating to staff.
- Communication disconnects among top executives.
- Concerns that the executive team may not be fully synchronized.
- Uncertainty about the genuine permeation of the organization’s vision and values.

The Line Between Effective and Ineffective Organizations

The distinction between organizations capable of enacting change versus those that only pay lip service becomes clearer when examining whether top teams are genuinely unified. According to Netskope Japan's research, 37% of CIOs recognize that the importance of business strategy and stakeholder management is growing more significant than technical expertise.

A cohesive executive perspective is crucial. Without unity, even the most brilliant strategies falter in execution, and organizations remain stagnant. When top teams share a calibrated viewpoint, strategies naturally permeate through to operational levels, causing the entire organization to move in tandem toward common goals.

Embracing Discomfort to Propel Growth

Unaddressed discomforts can fester, escalating into larger issues within the organization. However, when leaders confront these discrepancies, they can transform them into driving forces of organizational progress. If you feel any lingering discomfort within your leadership team, consider reaching out for a consultation about how Imajina’s Unified Leadership Training Program can help your organization thrive.