Uncovering the Dangers of Overqualified Employees in Companies

On January 26, 2026, Imagina Co., Ltd., a company providing support for corporate branding and personnel development, held a significant seminar in Tokyo. The event, titled "Inner Branding Seminar for Managers: The Necessity and Practice of Fundamental Education," aimed at addressing modern corporate dilemmas faced by a multitude of executives and HR leaders. This seminar was held against the backdrop of the alarming "quiet crisis" that Japanese companies would encounter in 2026.

The Quiet Crisis of 2026

Executives often ponder, "Why are our talented young professionals leaving?" and "Why don't training efforts translate into a different workplace atmosphere?" The challenge of 2026 is more than just a labor shortage; it’s rooted in a deep-seated disconnect in values and a lack of motivation within organizations. Yoshiki Sekino, the president and speaker at the seminar, highlighted that the problem stems from traditional skill-centric training methods. As AI technology matures and work skills become commoditized, companies must cultivate a "human foundation" that allows employees to resonate with the company’s philosophy and act autonomously.

The Hidden Dangers of Overqualified Employees

During his presentation, Sekino classified employees along two axes: ability (skills) and empathy (understanding of values). He warned against the threat posed by what he termed "destroyers"—individuals who possess high skill sets but lack a genuine understanding of and connection to the company's values. These individuals can undermine the motivation of promising young talents and serve as sources of corruption within the organization. The cycle of turnover that plagues many companies often stems from overlooking this structural issue.

Cultivating the Roots: Fundamental Education

Imagina advocates for what they call "fundamental education," focusing on nurturing organic and vibrant roots within an organization. If the roots—representing values and foundational attitudes—are rotten, no matter how advanced the skills applied, the organization is inevitably doomed to fail. The seminar presented unique methods for embedding universal values, such as gratitude and altruism, logically into the context of modern business, encouraging employee behavioral changes.

The Power of Empathy to Transform Workplace Atmospheres

In the latter part of the seminar, attendees were introduced to some of Imagina's programs currently used in corporate environments and educational settings, such as workshops for university students and job seekers. Through storytelling techniques that appeal not only to logic but also to emotions, the seminar revealed mechanisms by which participants could shift their perspective from seeing their work as an obligation to viewing it as a personal endeavor.

Participant Reactions and Future Developments

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing newfound clarity regarding long-held discomforts about their organizations. Comments such as "I finally understand the root cause of my discomfort within the organization" and "I realized that the exhaustion of management stems from a lack of a 'common language' with their subordinates" were frequent. Moving forward, Imagina plans to continue conducting seminars across major Japanese cities including Tokyo and Osaka, as well as collaborating with local government initiatives in regions like Yamanashi to promote local revitalization projects. The belief that "education shapes Japan’s future" will drive Imagina to expand fundamental education beyond corporate confines into a broader social movement.

Speaker Profile: Yoshiki Sekino

Yoshiki Sekino is the president of Imagina Co., Ltd. He moved to the United States at the age of 15 and, at 26, established Imagina in New York. Recognizing the power of inner branding in successful global enterprises, he has systematically adapted these concepts for Japanese companies. With over 3,000 consulting cases, his branding series, including the latest book "Blueprint for Empathy Value," has sold over 600,000 copies.

Seminar Overview

Date and time: January 26, 2026 (Monday) 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Venue: Tokyo Convention Hall (Kyobashi)
Participation Fee: Free (registration required)
Organizer: Imagina Co., Ltd.

For inquiries regarding this event, please contact:
Imagina Co., Ltd.
Contact: Minami Aoie
TEL: 03-3511-5525
Email: [email protected]
URL: Imagina Website