{"id":590,"date":"2023-03-03T08:56:16","date_gmt":"2023-03-02T23:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/workmill.jp\/en\/?post_type=webzine&p=590"},"modified":"2023-09-07T14:54:33","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T05:54:33","slug":"cat-personality-organization-20230303","status":"publish","type":"webzine","link":"https:\/\/workmill.jp\/en\/webzine\/cat-personality-organization-20230303\/","title":{"rendered":"Are you the \u201cCat\u201d Personality in your Organization?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Japan\u2019s \u201cLabor Thanksgiving Day\u201d every November, the Tokyo Work Design Week (TWDW), a symposium on working styles, is held over a seven-day period. TWDW 2021, which marks the 9th anniversary of the event, was held online for 7 days in a row with the theme \u201cLearn to Work Like a Cat.\u201d

The overarching theme this year, \u201cLearn to Work Like a Cat\u201d, is based on the book \u201cWorking Style of \u2018Organization Cat\u2019\u201d (published by Shoeisha) authored by Shinya Nakayama, the Principal of Rakuten University.

Here are some of the keynotes from the entire discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What are the Four Personalities?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In his book, Mr. Nakayama groups working people into 4 categories of working styles. An \u201corganization dog\u201d is loyal to the organization while an \u201corganization cat\u201d prioritizes their own code of value instead of the organization. Then, there are \u201clions\u201d which are conventional great leader types who lead people in the center of the organization while \u201ctigers\u201d are the next level of cats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Diagram
Diagram explaining the four personalities. Next to the diagram, on the lower right is Mr. Nakayama.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, Japanese society has considered it a virtue to work as an organization dog with the goal of becoming a lion but recently, many people have become reluctant to take on managerial roles, which Mr. Nakayama says is proof that people\u2019s views on working styles have changed. Additionally, due to their opposing views, organization dogs and cats don\u2019t get along well and tend to hold each other in contempt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Nakayama further added that in a diverse society, no matter what type of organization animal you are, everyone should respect each other\u2019s\u2019 values and make use of each other\u2019s strengths to create resilient organizations for a happy society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>So, which Animal are You?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next in line was an enriching discussion between the 10-panel members. According to Mr. Nakayama, this group of panelists consists of all \u201ctrue tigers.\u201d To confirm the same, they were each asked to fill in the \u201cOrganization Cat Personality Checklist\u201d, a list of 10 items created by Mr. Nakayama to see how much of an organization cat they are, and all of them selected at least 8 of the items on the checklist, which goes to show how cat-like they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Organization Cat Personality Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are You an Organizational Cat? Here\u2019s how you can identify!<\/p>\n\n\n\n