Thankfully, I Didn’t Hire Him

Konosuke Matsushita, the legendary founder of the Matsushita Group (now Panasonic), was not only admired for his extraordinary leadership but also respected for his deeply humanistic approach to management. He believed that true success lay not just in skill or education but in a person’s inner strength and moral character. One tragic event during a recruitment session at his company left a lasting lesson that continues to resonate.

During a company hiring event, Matsushita’s firm attracted numerous talented applicants. Among them was a young man who had recently graduated from a prestigious university. His resume was flawless, reflecting exceptional academic achievements and personal accomplishments. He seemed to be the perfect candidate. However, after going through the selection process, the recruitment board ultimately decided not to offer him a position.

The rejection devastated the young man. Unable to cope with the disappointment, he fell into despair and believed that his dreams and future were shattered. In a moment of hopelessness, he made a tragic decision and ended his life by jumping into a river. What was intended to be a routine job interview became a moment that revealed the fragile state of human resilience in the face of failure.

When Konosuke Matsushita heard about the incident, he was deeply saddened. He was not indifferent to the tragedy; instead, he reflected deeply on the meaning of willpower and the way individuals respond to adversity. In a heartfelt message to his employees, Matsushita shared his thoughts:
“A person who loses faith in life after a single rejection will hardly achieve anything great. In life, everyone will encounter failure. What matters is not how many times we fall, but how many times we are able to rise again.” He added that while the man’s qualifications were excellent, they alone were not enough. “Fortunately, we did not hire him,” Matsushita said candidly, “because someone who lacks resilience cannot succeed or endure challenges in the workplace.”

This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of inner strength. Talent and education may open doors, but only perseverance and emotional endurance can carry someone through the hardships that come with real life and real work. Resilience is the true measure of potential. It is the quiet force that pushes us forward when everything else seems to pull us down.

If you are facing setbacks, disappointments, or even deep personal struggles, remember this: failure is never the end of the road. It is part of the journey. What truly defines you is not whether you fall, but whether you choose to get back up.