After listening to the story of this CEO who left his expensive car and ate food in the canteen, you will say- Wow! if you are the boss then it’s like this

When Haruka Nishimatsu took charge of JAL in 2007, the company was running at huge losses. Fuel prices were rising, competition from low-cost airlines was increasing and thousands of jobs were under threat. At that time Nishimatsu said that he would not take his entire salary, but would take home only half the salary. He reduced his salary from approximately 90 million yen to 45 million yen. The employees of the company greatly appreciated his step. The situation worsened. As the company’s condition worsened, Nishimatsu again reduced his salary to just 11 million yen annually. That means now he was earning less than some pilots. He also stopped taking bonuses and said, “If I expect sacrifices from my employees, why shouldn’t I do the same myself?”

Started traveling by train, ate food in the canteen

Nishimatsu’s simplicity started being discussed all over Japan. After renouncing his salary, he also removed the car and driver he had received for his CEO post. Like common people, he started commuting to office by train and bus every day. He would stand in the crowd, read newspapers, help people, and no one would even realize that that person was the boss of Japan’s largest airline.

Even while eating, Nishimatsu did not go to any special room or expensive restaurant. He used to eat food in the canteen along with JAL employees in a queue. His lunch would be simple, such as curry-rice or miso soup, and he would talk to employees about their work, family and problems. Gradually people started saying, “He is one of us.” Due to this familiarity, the employees’ trust in the company remained intact even in times of crisis.

The company went bankrupt, the government bailed it out

The condition of JAL was very bad at that time. There was huge debt, flights were declining, and everything was going on as usual. Then Nishimatsu took some tough decisions. He cut the company’s expenses, changed routes, and made new agreements with suppliers. He himself set an example so that other employees are also ready for change. Ultimately, when the company declared bankruptcy in 2010, he accepted his responsibility and stepped down. Later, with government support, the company got back on its feet and returned to profit in 2012.