Akio Toyoda's 12-year pursuit of mission-oriented leadership in the field (Genba)
In a shift from its function-oriented past, Toyota, under the leadership of President Akio, has united as one, with a shared mission to make ever-better cars and strive to be the best-in-town.
Each week, Akio gathers the management team for discussions spanning the latest developments to long-term management issues. This meeting, however, is not for reporting to top management or seeking approvals. Instead, it's a platform for collaboration and strategic planning.
Akio aspires to be the most "genba-oriented" president, focusing on action in the workplace. He encourages employees to work together with various stakeholders in their respective workplaces, tackling tasks of the present, past, and future.
The driving force behind this unity, according to Akio, is Toyota's mission to produce happiness for all. He believes that this mission should not only be expressed through words but demonstrated through work and action.
Akio emphasises the importance of sustainable growth for Toyota. He brings up specific figures to show the social contributions made by Toyota over 12 years, and he sees purposeful passion and action as the path to a future of carbon neutrality.
Last year, Toyota established the mission of "producing happiness for all" as their unwavering mission. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting was able to focus on the future.
Akio views general shareholders' meetings as an opportunity to reflect on Toyota's progress and relationships with shareholders. He thanks shareholders for their long-term support and asks for continued warm support moving forward.
Specific details about participants in previous Toyota Ordinary General Meetings and which of them understood Akio's words during the last session of the previous year's meeting are not publicly documented.
Akio, the chair of Toyota's Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting, shared his final thoughts with shareholders, discussing a change at Toyota. He believes that this change, driven by unity, sustainability, and a mission to produce happiness for all, will lead to a brighter future for the company and its stakeholders.
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