任せて任さず (Makasete Makasazu) Delegate the Work, Not the Responsibility
2026-11-08
任せて任さず (Makasete Makasazu)
Delegate the Work, Not the Responsibility
Delegate the Work, Not the Responsibility
One of the most important lessons in Japanese leadership is the expression 任せて任さず (Makasete Makasazu) — “Delegate, but never abandon responsibility.”
This philosophy is closely associated with Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic.
A good leader must learn to trust people. Without delegation, employees cannot grow, and organizations cannot expand. However, delegation does not mean walking away.
When you assign someone a task, you give them authority to make decisions and take action. But as a leader, you remain responsible for the outcome.
If the employee succeeds, give them the credit. If they fail, take responsibility and help them learn.
Too many managers confuse delegation with simply passing problems to someone else. That is not leadership. That is avoiding responsibility.
“Trust people with the work, but never transfer your responsibility for trusting them.”
True leadership is not about controlling everything. It is about empowering others while standing behind them.
You can delegate authority, but you cannot delegate accountability.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..