You just have to start it. Just get your feet in the water and do it. I learned a lot from just trying it out.

Yoshikazu Tanaka

Jan 06, 2025

Hannah Watton

Marketing Manager, Laidlaw Foundation

You just have to start it. Just get your feet in the water and do it. I learned a lot from just trying it out.

Liked by Susanna Kempe

New Beginnings: Yoshikazu Tanaka

As we enter the New Year, we turn to the words of Yoshikazu Tanaka, founder and CEO of Gree. Tanaka's quote encourages us to take the leap and to begin, a reminder for the start of a new year:

Yoshikazu Tanaka: "I think the number one advice I can give is - you just have to start it. Just get your feet in the water and do it. I learned a lot from just trying it out."

Leading through Experimentation

Yoshikazu Tanaka is known as the founder and CEO of the social networking service Gree, which went on to be highly successful. Gree began just as a hobby when Tanaka was 26. It started in his apartment, following his interest in societal changes by informatisation. In a year, he made it a public platform and within 6 months, it had over 100,000 users. Today, the network and gaming site has over 200 million players.

In his quote, Tanaka encourages us to take the leap and begin. We often spend time stalling or wondering whether we have enough experience or skills. Tanaka's story highlights that while skills and experience are important, they shouldn't be a barrier to having the courage to begin.

Leadership Grounded in Self-Fulfilment

Tanaka's words remind us to try something new we may be procrastinating or stalling. They push us to start, rather than overthinking the process.

This emphasises the Laidlaw values of #Brave and #Fast. Being brave means having the courage to start, without fearing failure. Being fast means not waiting for things to happen and taking purposeful action.

A Call to Reflect

As we enter the New Year, we invite you to reflect on Yoshikazu Tanaka's leadership insights. Share your thoughts in the comments: What's one going you've been waiting to act on?

Hannah Watton (She/Her)

Marketing Manager, Laidlaw Foundation

Hi! Having previously been a Laidlaw Undergraduate Scholar studying English Literature at UCL, I am now the Marketing Manager of the Laidlaw Foundation.

My research looked at collaborative and innovative practices in academic publishing, and community building is something I built a passion for during my Leadership in Action. Feel free to reach out or connect with me!