Facilitator Talk N3: Social Contribution and Adulthood by Marina Matsui

January 21, 2024

Joao Pedro Grilo

This series is dedicated to past Global Leadership Training Program(GLTP) facilitators to share part of their Leadership journey and how joining GLTP helped them in their own leadership path.

Contributing to society is not solely based on someone's self-sacrifice. It can involve benefiting oneself while also creating a positive impact on society. Such leadership exists where individuals contribute to the community without hindering their own lives, and they support each other in expanding their activities.

While I am currently affiliated with a for-profit company in Japan, I previously worked in the nonprofit sector. Some people believe that contributing to society becomes challenging once you join a for-profit organization, but that is not necessarily true. Members of GTLP are actively involved in profit-driven activities and academics but manage to support each other while expanding their contributions to society.

Personally, I am currently engaged in sporadic activities, not only with GTLP but also in various youth development initiatives. I often receive questions from participating youth and my company, asking why I continue these activities even on weekends. When I was in the position of the youth, I found it very puzzling why busy adults would support volunteer activities. As someone providing support now, I've realized the answer is quite simple: there are significant benefits for me too. Meeting new friends and working with youth, experiences not encountered in my regular business activities, provide fresh stimulation.

Additionally, I gain a lot of energy from these interactions, bringing new perspectives into my own life. Leadership that contributes to society carries significant responsibilities, and some may think it's challenging to get involved. However, it's a fact that there are new forms of leadership and contributions