Situational Background

Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of SoftBank, is a visionary storyteller who pairs bold conviction with rapid decision-making. He sees around corners, acts decisively, and learns in public—owning both hits and misses. Son’s energy mobilises partners and founders; his challenge is matching ambition with risk discipline. Distinctive for courage, speed, and narrative clarity, he shows how big dreams can drive action—tempered by transparent guardrails.

Practical Leadership Principles

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1) Conviction with risk awareness.

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Dream big, name the downside.

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Behaviours to model:

• Write the thesis and the failure modes on one page.
• Set explicit loss limits and review triggers.
• Share the red-team critique before committing.

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2) Decide at the right speed.

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Slow for fundamentals; fast for execution.

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Behaviours to model:

• Separate reversible from irreversible choices.
• Time-box due diligence; set a decision date.
• Move immediately on post-decision tasks.

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3) Story that mobilises.

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A clear narrative unlocks resources.

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Behaviours to model:

• Use “problem → promise → proof” in every pitch.
• Tie incentives to milestones, not slogans.
• Report results against the story—good and bad.

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Call to action

Draft a one-page thesis for your boldest idea with risks and triggers, schedule a decision date, and line up the first proof you can show within two weeks.

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