Beyond mindfulness lies the state of “naikan”
Mindfulness has become a standard skill set for modern leaders. This technique, which focuses attention on the present moment and reduces stress, supports the mental health of many CEOs.
The origins of mindfulness can be traced back to the Japanese practice of Zen. Zen is a philosophy of stillness that eliminates unnecessary thoughts and sharpens the mind.
And now, as practical wisdom for business elites striving for even greater heights, we’d like to draw your attention to “内観/Naikan”, a uniquely Japanese method of self-insight.
- If mindfulness is about calming the mind (calming),
- Naikan is about reflecting the truths deep within (objective self-viewing).
It doesn’t just calm the mind; it also allows you to re-examine yourself structurally. This Japanese journaling practice is the ultimate mental management technique, essential for CEOs dealing with complex relationships and heavy responsibilities.
“Naikan”: A mirror to see yourself objectively
“Naikan” literally means “observing one’s inner self.” Unlike a “diary,” which is simply an outlet for emotions, it is a process of thoroughly and objectively looking at the relationship between oneself and others (or events) based on the following three questions:
- What was done for me (benefits received)
- What I gave back (contributions)
- What inconveniences I caused (points to reflect on)
This structured framework allows for ultimate metacognition, where you strip away your ego and see the facts as they are.
What you gain from naikan: Your true capacity as a leader
By incorporating naikan, CEOs gain the following three management resources:
- Cognitive flexibility: You become aware of your own biases and are able to see things from multiple perspectives.
- Contributing to psychological safety: Looking back at the inconveniences you’ve caused develops humility and deepens trust with your team.
- Enduring resilience: By reaffirming your gratitude for those around you (the blessings you have received), you build a mental foundation that can withstand difficult situations.
How to naikan: Five-Minute Structured Journaling for CEOs
While full-scale naikan is conducted in a retreat format, I recommend the following “naikan journaling” as a part of your daily routine.
- Identify the event that most emotionally stirred you.
- Analyze the event from both your own and the other person’s perspective.
- Write down what you can objectively say about 2 and summarize what you learned from 1 through 3.
[Column] Learning from the Heian aristocrats about “morning detox”
Here’s an interesting historical background unique to Japan. While modern journaling is typically done at night, aristocrats in the Heian period (794 to 1185) wrote their diaries the next morning.
For them, diaries were important memoranda, accurately recording ceremonies and government affairs. They would pick up their pen the next morning, while memories were fresh and when they could look at the whole day objectively. This may be a uniquely Japanese wisdom, which is also related to the “ZEN” style of mindfulness, which involves looking at yourself from a bird’s eye view without being overly swayed by emotions.
Rather than forcing yourself to write on a busy night, try waking up a little earlier and writing down the day as if you were detoxing. It might be interesting to try adopting this Heian style of naikan journaling.
Naikan is the process of awakening the “greatest wise man” within you. Take just five minutes this night or tomorrow morning to do so. That one stroke of the pen will be the first step in elevating your leadership to a new level.
