Empathy. Self-awareness. Presence. These aren’t just “soft skills”—they’re survival skills in a tech-saturated world. In my journey of blending ancestral stories with AI tools, I uncovered something deeper: the future of leadership doesn’t lie in choosing between innovation and tradition, but in learning to lead from both. From my conversation with David Cory of EITC to the robot monk at Kyoto’s Kōdai-ji Temple, I’ve seen how the ancient and the emerging can harmonize. The real edge today? It’s in embracing the paradox—rooted in heritage, open to what’s next.

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We’ve been sold a lopsided story about leadership: hard skills are non-negotiable, while soft skills are “nice to have.” But here’s the truth we don’t say out loud—soft skills aren’t soft. They’re the root system. We’ve been worshipping the branches—what’s visible, productive, fast. But without roots—presence, emotional clarity, humility—none of it holds.

In Japan, this isn’t a buzzword—it’s embedded in the spirit of Shokunin Kishitsu: the quiet discipline of showing up fully, with intention and pride. Skills aren’t separated from the soul. Leadership isn’t about being rigid—it’s about being supple.