How does the unification of Japan over 500 years ago relate to human resource management in the 21st century?

Introducing a set of three well-known poems from three Shogun with very different leadership styles who are credited with unifying Japan, let's consider "human resource" management from the leadership perspective for MBA Japan followers.

Oda Nobunaga
"If the cuckoo does not sing, kill it"

Toyotomi Hideyoshi
"If the cuckoo does not sing, try to make it sing"

Tokugawa Ieyasu
"If the cuckoo does not sing, I will wait until it does"

Nobunaga, who was born into a high rank and class of society, is known for his charismatic and eccentric but decisive and aggressive style. Born as the son of a farmer, Hideyoshi rose through opportunity and merit and his style is regarded as intelligent, confident and ambitious. Ieyasu, born of noble birth but effectively held as a political hostage during his childhood, had a calculated, patient and pragmatic style and favored systematic stability.

In summary there is another well-known saying which links these three leaders together.
"Nobunaga pounds the national rice cake, Hideyoshi kneads it, and in the end Ieyasu sits down and eats it"

Thinking about these different leaders from the Samurai age, what contemporary CEOs or leaders do you know who use any of these approaches to leadership and human resource management? Post your ideas or comments on NUCB's Facebook page and follow us on Instagram

In the next post, how will the idea of "human resources" evolve into the practice of 'human development' by the 2000s?