12. Risk and Responsibility

Miyamoto:

I don’t know if it comes from not having a boss, but I can’t tell if I’m a good boss or not.

Itoi:

Oh...

Miyamoto:

For example, staff members who have worked with me for a long time will often come up to me and say, “I thought of something,” but about 70% of the time, I say, “That won’t work.”

Itoi:

Oh.

Miyamoto:

I know it isn’t nice, but since I know if that idea was mine I’d decline it too, I have to say it anyway. Sometimes, I think if I don’t stop that, I won’t be able to help anyone grow.

Itoi:

Well, part of that can’t be helped.

Miyamoto:

I know, but when I think about it later, I didn’t need to be so harsh for about 20% of that 70%.

Itoi:

Hmm...

Iwata:

Some of them might have worked out all right, but you can’t be certain that they would have.

Miyamoto:

Right, right.

Itoi:

That’s true.

Iwata:

Itoi-san, you don’t have a boss either.

Itoi:

No. As a freelancer, I haven’t had a boss and have enjoyed a lot of freedom. But as you know, the time when there was freedom in copywriting was over quickly and soon became the time when clients are the boss.

Iwata:

Yes. To escape that, you began Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun (Almost Daily Itoi News). (Editor’s note: please note that this website is only available in Japanese.)

Itoi:

That’s right.

Miyamoto:

But that engenders responsibility. Without a boss, you have to get results yourself.

Itoi:

That does awaken one’s responsibility. This may be exaggerating, but my life depends on it!

Miyamoto:

Uh-huh.

Itoi:

It is a big risk.

Miyamoto:

When I call 70% of proposals no good, I have to take responsibility for that. I am not using it as an excuse for tossing those ideas out, though. (laughs)

Iwata:

That’s the way it is. Whether the project generates results or not falls to you.

Miyamoto:

Since I do that routinely, I’m always wanting to say to others, “Why won’t you stake your life on it?” But then when I think about it, I think it’s simply unfeasible.

Iwata:

(laughs)