勉強すること
社員４名が研修を受け、昨日研修報告会を行いました。４名に共通していえることは素直です。何も疑問に思わないから、どんどん吸収していく。大人になって、歳を重ねるごとに、経験という自我が邪魔をして、頭で考えてしまう。素直で、なんでも吸収してくれるから４名を選びました。研修を終えた４名は充実感とこれから行動していこうという意気込みで輝いていました。
研修報告を受けて感じたことが３つあります。
まず１つ目に、品格の重要性です。第一印象を決める１番は見た目です。いくら優れていて、できる人でも、見た目が悪かったら、そういう風に判断されてしまいます。損をするだけです。皆さんも人が自分の姿をみたらどう思うか客観的に見てください。女性は髪を下ろしているよりも、髪を縛っていた方が仕事をしている感じがするし、すっきり見えます。男性も同じです。Ｙシャツ、ネクタイがきれいになっていまか？会社には仕事をしにきているのです。そこをもう一度しっかり考えて行動してください。
２つ目に、見た目を決める一番大事なことが「心」ということです。見た目は心の様子。外見は、内側の心が磨かれていなければ意味がありません。心の様子が表の外見に表れます。『人は心』。頭で考えるのではなく、心で感じて、自分自身を成長させてください。素直な心が一番です。
３つ目に勉強することの大切さです。勉強は何のためにしますか？勉強はすべて自分のためです。会社のためも、周りの人のためではなく、自分のためです。自分自身を磨き、成長し社会に貢献できる人間力をつける。会社から研修に出ろと言われたからと、後ろ向きの姿勢では何の意味もないのです。４名のもっと勉強していきたい、行動していこうという前向きな姿勢にとても感動しました。勉強は自分自身を成長させるためのチャンスです。そして勉強に終わりはありません。満足してしまったら、その人はそこで終わりです。研修に参加するだけではなく、本を読むことも勉強だし、尊敬する人と話すことも勉強です。勉強し続け、自分をどんどん成長させてください。そして魅力ある人になっていってください。
どこまで気がつくか。報告をしてくれた社員の一人が 「４５度のお辞儀が１番と勉強しました。そして帰りにガソリンスタンドに寄ったとき、店員さんのあいさつをみると、４５度になっていました。それに私はとても感動しました。」 と言っていました。そういう意識でものごとを見ていくことはとても大切です。勉強することで、いつもは気付かなかったことに気づくようになる。１度にすべて気づくことなどできません。どこまで小さなことに気づいて、変えていけるかです。自分自身のために、どんどん勉強して、成長していってください。
Study
Recently, four of our employees attended a seminar on etiquette and yesterday shared with us what they had learned during the three day course. These four people share a common trait: that being a unprejudiced heart. They do not debate the things around them but instead absorb the information. As we grow older and become adults, we develop a sense of pride based on what we have experienced. This pride, however, can become a hindrance and we spend our time simply thinking. However, these four employees are different and it was their ability to absorb information that led to my choosing them for the course. After completing the course, I could see the change in these four: there is now a sense of enrichment about them and an enthusiasm to put into practice what they learned. They absolutely shine now.
The following are three memories or lessons they took from the course:
1) The importance of character. Appearance is the biggest factor in what kind of first impression you give. It does not matter how superior of a person you may be, if your appearance is poor you will be judged in a similar fashion and will put you at a disadvantage. I ask that all of you take an honest look at yourselves and objectively ask yourself what impression you are giving. For example, for the women, rather than letting your hair hang loose, tying it back gives a more professional feeling. The same is true for men: during work, is your shirt and necktie clean and neat? Please take a good, honest look at yourself once again.
2) The biggest deciding factor in one’s appearance is his heart or spirit. If what is inside is not refined, there is no meaning in the outward appearance for it is the outward appearance that shows what is in the heart. “A person’s foundation is the heart.” Do not think in your head but rather feel in your heart and in doing so grow and mature. An honest, open heart is best.
3) The third thing each person seemed to come away from the course with was a realization of the importance of study. Why do you (we) study? Study is all about the personal improvement of each of us. It is not for the company or those around us but rather is for ourselves. It makes us polished, refined people who through our growth can contribute to society. There is no meaning if you study simply because you were told to and I was very moved to hear these four express a desire to continue studying and to put into practice what they learned. Please take the opportunity to improve yourself through study, not only through attending seminars but also through reading and talking with people you respsect. Do not let yourself become complacent for if you do, you will cease to grow as a person. Study is a never-ending endeavor; therefore, continue in your studies and work on self-improvement. As you do, you will become a more charming, appealing person.
To what extent are you aware of the things around you? One employee reported that after learning the 45-degree bow is the most polite, she noticed that the gasoline stand attendant used this most formal bow toward the customers and that she was very moved by it. Such consciousness of what is going on around you is very important. In study, notice what you have ignored up to this point. You cannot be aware of everything at once but you can pay attention to the little things one at a time. For your own sake, continue in your studies and personal growth.
