Uchikura & Co., LLC

Never Forget How You Got There — The Lesson of Kongō Gumi

 

Kongō Gumi (金剛組) was founded in Japan in 578 AD and survived for more than 1,400 years. Its strength came from something very specific: building and maintaining Buddhist temples using skills passed from generation to generation.

 

It survived wars, fires, political change, and economic upheaval.

 

Yet in 2006, Kongō Gumi lost its independence.

 

One reason was that the company had expanded into real estate during Japan’s economic bubble. When the bubble collapsed, debt became a serious burden. The company that had survived for centuries by mastering its craft found itself exposed to risks outside its traditional strength.

 

There is a lesson here for every successful business.

 

Growth creates opportunities, but success can also tempt us to believe we are good at everything.

 

Never forget what made customers trust you.

 

Never forget what you do better than others.

 

Never forget the people, values, and skills that brought you this far.

 

You can change how you travel.

 

Just never forget how you got there.