Effective leadership involves the ability to inspire others.

What’s more, organizational harmony creates the proper conditions to achieve — and sustain — success.

Looking at the Golden State Warriors and Rakuten, Inc., one can see parallels in how they operate, set bold targets and reach them.

Billionaire Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani, who founded Rakuten in 1997 and has guided its global rise to prominence as a giant of online commerce, recognizes that the Warriors are more than just a winning team (three NBA titles in the past four seasons, including two straight). He understands that team ownership, general manager Bob Myers and coach Steve Kerr have set the tone for the team’s joyful existence.

Tracing the success of the Warriors under current ownership and a nucleus of star players, Mikitani unpacked morsels of wisdom in an email letter to all Rakuten employees that was recently posted on the company’s website.

“When we see a successful season played out like the one the Warriors just delivered, we are inspired by not only their success but also the way in which they represent the values we prize, like teamwork, innovation and a passion for excellence,” Mikitani wrote. “We are excited to see those values so clearly demonstrated on the court and to see something of ourselves in the team and their achievements.

“And what a team the Warriors are. Through injuries and adversity, highs and lows, the Dubs never backed down. They never abandoned their revolutionary brand of basketball that asks All-Stars like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to put individual numbers aside for the sake of team success. The Warriors embody the motto: ‘Strength in Numbers.’ ”

Source: Warriors an inspiration to Rakuten CEO Hiroshi Mikitani | The Japan Times